LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Shelf .v^j 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



I 



WORKS BY CAPT. CHAS. A. J. FARRAR. 



THE ANDROSCOGGIN LAKES. Illustiated. Cloth :ri.oo 

A complete ;uid reliiible guide to the sporting region in North-western Maine. 
360 pages, 100 illustrations, and large map. The 15th thousand of this valuable 
book. Corrected up to date. 

MOOSEHEAD LAKE AND THE NORTH MAINE WILDER- 
NESS. Illustrated. Cloth $>-oo 

A thorough and exhaustive guide to the sporting resorts of Northern Maine 

and New Brunswick. 300 pages, 76 illustrations, and large Map. loth 

thousand. Should be in every family library. 

CAMP LIFE IN THE WILDERNESS. Tliird edition. 224 pages, 30 

illustrations. Handsome cloth binding $1.00 

FROM LAKE TO LAKE; or, A Trip Across Country. Second 

edition. Ornamented cloth binding. Fully illustrated. 224 pages $i.co 

BEFORE AND BEHIND THE CURTAIN ; or, The Adventures 
of Billy Shakespoke. A story of Amateur and Professional Stage 
Life. Si.\ full-page engravings. Neatly bound in cloth. 272 pages .... $1.00 

THE LAKE AND FOREST SERIES. 

EASTWARD HO! or, Adventures at Rangeley Lakes. A spicy 
and fascinating story of Sportsmen's Life in the wilds of Maine. Full-page 
illustrations and map. 372 pages $'25 

WILD WOODS LIFE; or, A Trip to Parmachenee. Fully illus- 

trated. Cloth. 400 pages $1.25 

DOWN THE WEST BRANCH; or. Camps and Tramps 

Around Katahdin. Full-page illustrations. 320 pages $1-25 

UP THE NORTH BRANCH; A Summer's Outing. Illustrated. 

Cloth. 332 pages $1.25 

This scries of books is having a phenomenal sale, several editions of each 
volume having already been issued. The books are as great favorites with old 
people as with young, and have also met with .a hearty reception from the gentle 
sex. 

FARRAR'S POCKET MAP OF THE ENTIRE ANDROS- 
COGGIN LAKES REGION; including the Dead River 
Waters. Mounted on linen, and bound in cloth $1.00 

FARRAR'S POCKET MAP OF SEBEC AND MOOSEHEAD 

LAKES AND THE NORTH MAINE WILDERNESS . • • $1.00 
Mounted on linen, and bound in cloth. With this Map any person can travel 
through Northern Maine without a guide. 



Any hook or map on the aboxie list sent by mail, poslpaiJ, on receipt of price, by. 

ESTES & LAURIAT, BOSTON. 







CAFIAIN FARRAR AT HOME. 



THROUGH THE WILDS 

A Record of Sport and Advenhtre in the Forests 
of New Hampshire and Maine 



BY / 

CAPT. CHARLES A. J. FARRAR 

AUTHOR OF '-THE ANDROSCOGGIN LAKES ILLUSTRATED," "CAMP LIFE IN THE WILDERNESS," "MOOSEHEAD 

LAKE AND THE NORTH MAINE WILDERNESS," "EASTWARD HO ! " " WILD WOODS LIFE," 

" DOWN THE WEST BRANCH," " UP THE NORTH BRANCH," 

"FROM LAKE TO LAKE," ETC. 



Profusclg 3IUustratrti 

WITH OVER THREE HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS 






"^ ■ - 



BOSTON 
ESTES & LA U Rl AT 

PUBLISHERS 



J-ii^ ' 



Copyright, 1892, 
By CHARLES A. J. FARRAR. 



All Risrfifs Reserved. 



janibetsi'tB ^ress: 
John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. 



TO 

MY ESTEEMED F It I E N D, 

IJaita 3. jFlautifrs, 

OF MALDEN, MASS., 

TO COMMEMORATE CERTAIN TRIPS TO THE MAINE WOODS, 

9rf)is UaluiuE 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 



CONTENTS. 



Chai'ter page 

I. Down Boston Harbor. — On the Briny Deep. — Along the Coast. — 
Places of Interest. — Cape Ann. — Man Overboard. — The Rescue. — 
Isles of Shoals. — Portland Head. — Cushing's Island. — Portland 
Harbor. — The Forest City ......... t 

II. Sight-seeing in Portland. — A Trip in the Harbor. — A Tough Story. — 
An Angry Sheriff. — The Launch. — -A Runaway Horse. — Beautiful 
Scenery. — Legends. — Gorham, N.H. — Ascent of Mount Hayes. — 
The Last Mouthful . .36 

III. A Country Show. — Side Trip to the White Mountains. — Sight-seeing. 

— Back to Gorham. — An Amateur Dramatic Performance. — The 
Mascot Mine. — Berlin Falls. — Pleasant Acquaintances. — The Mor- 
mon Elder. — The Picnic Dinner . . . . . . . -71 

IV. From Berlin to Colebrook. — Scenes En Route. — Fishing for Brook 

Trout. — Beaver Falls. — A Deer Story. — Ascent of Mount Monad- 
nock. — An Amateur Show ........ 



V. Colebrook to the Dix House. — Catching Trout with a Sij>^r Hook. — 
Dixville Notch. — A Day's Fishing. — Lost in the Woods. — Shootins; 



107 



a Deer. — Camping over Night. — The Rescuing Party. — Return to 

the Hotel 125 

VI. Return to the Hotel. — Old Friends. — Climbing Table Rock. —A Peep 
at the Snow Cave. — Viewing the Profile. — A Rainy Day. — A Glance 
at Pulpit Rock. — Inspecting the Flume. — The Lower and Upper 
Cascade . . . . . . . . . . . .168 

VII. A Tour through the Lakes. — Umbagog. — Middle Dam. — Lake We- 
lokennbacook. — Molechunkamunk. — The Upper Dam. — Mooseluc- 
maguntic Lake. — Cupsuptic. — Indian Rock. — Oquossoc Lake. — 
Rangeley Village. — Haines' Landing. — Ascent of Bald Mountain. — 
Return to Upper Dam , 187 



VI 



CONTENTS. 



CHArXER 

VIII. Upper Dam to South Arm. — Buckboard Ride. — Devil's Oven. — Black 
Brook Notch, Devil's Den. — Hermit Falls. — Silver Ripple Cascade 

— A Night in Andover. — A Jolly Ride. — A Picnic Dinner. — Sights 
by the Way. — The Lakeside Hotel. — Cambridge. — Lake Umbagog 

— Steamer Parmachenee ........ 

IX. From Cambridge to Sunday Cove. — Errol Dam. — The IMagalloway 
River. — Points of Interest ........ 

X. The Berlin Mills House. — Gunning and Fishing. — Ascent of Aziscohos 

— From Brown Farm to Errol. — Departure of the Girls 

XI. Return to Lowe's. — Camping Out. — Camp Cooking. — A Little Diffi 
culty. — A Trip to Diamond Ponds ...... 

XII. A Little Difficulty. — The Start Northward. — Boating on Magalloway 

— Camping Out. — A Visit from a Moose ..... 

XIII. An Unsuccessful Moose-hunt. — A Move up River. — Rainy Days. — A 

Night Alarm. — Difficult Navigation. — The Forks. — "Which Road 
shall we take ? " — Parmachenee ....... 

XIV. Up the Lake. — Danforth's Camp. — The Head of the Lake. — Up the 

River. — Little Boy's Falls. — A Permanent Camp. — Wood Rambles. 

— Rare Fishing. — A Moose Hunt. — Breaking Camp. — The Start 
for Home. — Almost an Accident ....... 

XV. Baked Beans. — Campfire Music. — The Green Cook. — A Cook's 
Trick. — Arnold's Bog. — A Successful Moose Hunt. — •' Through 
the Wilds." — Almost an Accident. — Return to Camp 
XVI. Through the Wilds. — Travelling by Compass. — Seven Ponds. — Head 
of Kennebago Lake. — Foot of Kennebago Lake. — John's Pond. — 
Down the Kennebago River. — Indian Rock again. — Down through 
the Lakes. — Cambridge. — ^^ Stage Ride through Grafton Notch. — 
Moose Cave. — The Jail. — Screw Auger Falls. — Bethel. — Homeward 
Bound by Rail. — Farewell ......... 



2 27 

278 
297 

364 



398 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



SUBJECT. 

Cover: designed and drawn by 

Captain Farrar at Home 

Initial Letter A : View in Boston Harbor 

The Camping Party .... 

Steamer Cumberland .... 

View in Boston Harbor .... 

Fort Independence, Boston Harbor 

Fort Winthrop, Boston Harbor 

Long Island Head Light, Boston Harbor 

Deer Island Point Light, Boston Harbor 

Nix's Mate, Boston Harbor 

f^'ort Warren, Boston Harbor . 

Distant View of Boston Light 

Bug Light, Boston Harbor 

The Graves, Boston Harbor 

" Breakers Ahead ! " (Full page) . 

Distant View of Egg Rock Light 

Thatcher's Island Lights 

The Londoner 

The Salvages ..... 

The Rescue. (Full page) 

The Chasm, Star Island . 

Smith's Monument, Star Island 

Scene of the Wagner .Murder, Snnittv 

Island ..... 

Old Church, Star Island . 
" Dinner, Sar ! " 

Boon Island Light .... 
White Island Light, Isles of Shoals 
Distant View Double Lights, Cape Kliza- 

beth 



Nose 



DRAWN BY 

/. /. Bcny ^ Co 
Seel! les Gallas^he7' 
W. H. Garrett 
H. B. Colby . 
A'. L. Stebbins, Photo 
Photograph 
H. B. Colby . 
H. B. Colby . 
W. H. Garrett 
W. H. Garrett 
C. IV. Peed . 
C. IV. Peed . 
IV. H. Garrett 
C. IV. Peed . 
W. H. Garrett 
C. IV. Peed . 
IV. If. Garrett 
IV. H. Garrett 
IV. //. Garrett 
W. II. Garrett 
C. W. Peed . 
H. B. Colby . 
IV. II. Garrett 

Photograph 
W. II. Garrett 
II. B. Colby . 
H. B. Colby . 
II. B. Colby . 

H. B. Colby . 

VII 



ENGRAVED BY 

J. T Berry & Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co 
Lewis Engraving Co 
Lewis Engraving Co 
John Andrew Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co 
Lewis Engraving Co 
Lewis Engraving Co 
John Andrew^ Co. 
John Andrew Co. 
Lewis Engr^aving Co 
Lewis Engraving Co 
John Andrew Co. 
Lewis Engravhig Co 
John Andrew Co. 
Geo. E. Johnson 
John Andrew Co. 
Adolf Borie 
John Andrew Co. 
John Andrew Co. 
Geo. E. Johnson 
Lewis Engraving Co 
John Andrew Co. 

Ed. C. McClintock 
John Andrew Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co 
Lewis Engraving Co 
Lewis Engraving Co 

Lewis Ensfraving Co. 



9 
9 

lO 



13 
17 



23 

25 
28 

29 

30 
3" 
31 
32 



VIU 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



SUBJECT. 

Portland Head Light .... 
Cushing's Island, Portland Harbor . 

breakwater Light 

Tail-piece: Entrance to Portland Harbor 

Initial Letter L: Observatory, Portland, Me. 

Whitehead Cliff, Cushing's Island 

View from Western Promenade 

Along the Wharves, Portland . 

Trefetheren's Landing, Peak's Island 

The Willows, Cushing's Island 

Bathing House and Beach, Cushing's Island 

View on Cushing's Island 

I'hree Views on Cushing's Island 

On the Beach, Cushing's Island 

Cove, Diamond Island 

The Veracious Pik)t . 

Longfellow's Birthplace . 

The Longfellow House 

Longfellow's Statue . 

Dining-Room 1 

Office \ Preble House, Portland, Me 

Reading-Room J (Full page) 

Dodging the .Sheriff . 

The Launch 

The Runaway ... 

Byrant's Pond, Maine 

View from Bethel Station 

Wild River Bridge, Grand Tru 

Treachery .... 

Meadows, Shelburne, N.H. 

Shelter from the Storm. (Full page) 

Gorham and Mount Hayes 

.Suspension Bridge, Gorham, N.H. . 

" Now You see It, and Now You Don't." 

page) 

Initial Letter D : Imp Mountain 
The Promjiter Does a Little Acting 
Lead-Mine Bridge .... 
Lead-Mine Flume, Shelburne, N.H. 
Lead-Mine Brook, Shelburne, N.H. 



ik Railway 



(Fu 



DRAWN BY 

Special Photograph 
W. H. Garrett 
W. H. Garrett 
H. B. Colby . 
Bert Poole 
H. B. Colby . 
W. H. Garrett 
W. H. Garrett 
IV. H. Garrett 
Special Photograph 
H. D. Murphy 
Special Photograph 
H. D. Murphy 
H. D. Murphy 
Photograph . . 
E. L. Proctor . 
A. E. Haynes . 
A. E. Haynes . 
A. E. Haynes . 



W. H. Garrett 

C. W. Reed . 

Bert Poole 

E. L. Proctor . 

Special Photograph 

Special Photograph 

Myrick . 

E. L. Proctor . 

W. H. Garrett 

E. L. Proctor . 

Photograph 

W. H. Garrett 

E. L. Proctor . 
Bert Poole 
C. W. Reed . 
Hassam . 
IV. H. Garrett 
W. //. Garrett 



ENGRAVED BY PAGE. 

Ed. C. McClintock . 33 

John Andrew Co. . 34 

Lewis Engraving Co. 34 

Lewis Engraving Co. 35 

Lewis Engraving Co. 36 

Lewis Engraving Co. 37 

Adolf Borie . . 38 

Lewis Engraving Co. 39 

Lewis Engraving Co. 40 

Adolf Borie . . 41 

Lewis Engraving Co. 42 

Lewis Engraving Co. 43 

Lewis Engraving Co. 44 

Lewis Engraving Co. 45 

Lewis Engraving Co. 46 

Lewis Engraving Co. 47 

Lewis Engraving Co. 48 

Lewis Engraving Co. 48 

Lewis Engraving Co. 48 

Lewis Engraving Co. 49 

Johnson & Thompson 50 

Lewis Engraving Co. 51 

Lewis Engraving Co. 55 

Chicago Engraving Co. 57 

Adolf Borie . . 58 

Geo. E. Johnson . 59 

Lewis Engraving Co. 60 

Adolf Borie . 61 

Lewis Engraving Co. 63 

Chicago Engraving Co. 65 

John Andrew Co. . 66 

Lewis Engraving Co. 69 

Lewis Engraving Co. 71 

Johnson & Thompson 72 

Geo. E. Johnson . 73 

Lewis Engraving Co. 74 

Lewis Engraving Co. 75 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



IX 



SUBJECT. 

Washington and Madison from I>ead-mine 

Bridge 

Peabody River, Carter Notch .... 
Emerald Pool, near Glen House. (Full page) 
On the Road to Glen House . . . . 
Thompson's Falls, near Glen House, White 

Mountains. (Full page) . . . . 
Glen House, White Mountains, N.H. 
Crystal Cascade, near Glen House, White 

Mountains. (Full page) . . . . 

Looking up the Notch 

Glen Ellis Fall, Glen Road, White Mountains. 

(Full page) ...... 

View East from Crawford Notch 

The Gates of the Notch ..... 

The Observatory, Summit of Mt. Washington 
Carriage Road and Railway, Mt. Washington 
Hard Travelling ..... 

The Ledge, Mount Washington 

Half-way House, Mount Washington 

" Not Down on the Bills "... 

The Mascot Mine, Gorham, N.H. . 

Two Views Alpine Cascades, Berlin Falls, N.H 

Berlin Falls, Androscoggin River, N.H. . 

Androscoggin River, near Berlin, N.H. . 

The Wrong Kind of Applause 

" Chaffing ! " 

On the Androscoggin, near Gorham, N.H. 
The Picnic Dinner. (Full page) 
Initial Letter T : The Young Fisherman 
Devil's Slide and Stark Village. (Full page) 

Percy Peaks 

Pilot Range, from Groveton Junction. (Full 

page) 

On the Connecticut River, near North Stratford 
Where Boyton Took to the Water . 
Mount Monadnock, and Colebrook, N.H. 
Lunch in the Woods .... 

Beaver Falls, Colebrook, N.N. 
Fight with a Deer. (Full page) 



DRAWN BY 

Myrick 
Bert Poole 
Photograph 
Max Reder 

Photograph 
W. Bryant 

Photograph 
H. B. Colby 

Photograph 
Photograph 
Photograph 
Bert Poole 
Bert Poole 
H. D. Murphy 
Bert Poole 
Bert Poole 
C. W. Reed 
Searles Gallagher 
Photograph 
Myrick 
Special Photograph 
C. W. Reed . 
H. D. Murphy 
Special Photograph 
H. D. Murphy 
Max Reder 
Special Photograph 
Special Photograph 

Searles Gallagher 
Special Photograph 
Searles Gallagher 
Hassam . 
W. //. Garrett 
Myrick . 
W. H. Garrett 



ENGRAVED BY 



Johnson & Thompson 77 

Lewis Engraving Co. 78 

John Andrew Co. . 79 

Chicago Engraving Co. 80 

John Andrew Co. . 81 

John Andrew Co. . 82 

John Andrew Co. . 83 

Lewis Engraving Co. 84 



John Andrew Co. 
Aldine Engraving Co. 
Aldine Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Johnson & Thompson 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Adolf Borie 
Geo. E. Johnson 
Chicago Engraving Co. 
Johnson & Thompson 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Chicago Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Chicago Engraving Co. 
Chicago Engraving Co. 



85 
86 

87 



90 

91 
92 

93 

94 

95 

97 

100 

102 

104 

105 

107 

109 

no 



Lewis Engraving Co. 1 1 1 

Chicago Engraving Co. it2 

"3 

Geo. E. Johnson . 114 

Lewis Engraving Co. 115 

Johnson & Thompson 116 

Lewis Engraving Co. 1 19 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Full 



SUBJECT. 

An Uncomfortable Seat . 

The Difference . 

Tail-Piece: Umbagog Lake 

Initial Letter S : Log Camp 

Fishing with a Silver Hook. ( 

Frightened Deer 

Western Entrance to Dixville Notch 

Summit of Table Rock 

Pinnacles of Dixville Notch 

Columnar Rock, Dixville Notch 

In the Forest 

The First Bird . 

A Deer Chase . 

Run to Earth . 

Camping Out. (Full page) 

The Wood Chopper 

Cooking Vension 

Scared by an Owl 

A Night Alarm 

Spying the Course 

To the Rescue . 

Tail-piece : What Dick saw in 

Initial Letter C 

A Reunion. (Full page) . 

On the Cliffs, Dixville Notch 

Profile, Dixville Notch 

The Flume, Dixville Notch 

Dix House, Dixville Notch 

Lower Cascade, Dixville Notch 

Upper Cascade, Dixville Notch 

The Eagle's Nest 

Along Clear Stream . 

The Bear Fight. (Full page) . 

Errol Dam (1880) . 

The Steamer Diamond 

Making a Landing 

Tail-piece : Aziscohos Mountain 

Initial Letter W . . . 

The Old Union 

Quickwater Point 



page 



His Dream 



DRAWN BY 

C. W. Reed . 
C. W. Reed 
Max Reder 
J. A. Knee land 
W. H. Garrett 
W. H. Garrett 
Special Photograph 
Special Photograph 
M. M. Tidd . 
W. H. Garrett 
A. D. Nelson . 
IV. H. Garrett 
W. H. Garrett 
H. D. Murphy 
H. D. Murphy 
H. D. Murphy 
H. D. Murphy 
Berl Poole 
H. D. Murphy 
H. D. Murphy 
Bert Poole 
Herrick . 
H. O. Smith . 
W. H. Garrett 
Photograph 
M. M. Tidd . 
Photograph 
Photograph 
Special Photograph 
Special Photograph 



W. H. Garrett 
Special Photograph 



W. H. Garrett 
H. B. Colby . 
Bert Poole 
M. M. Tidd . 
Bert Poole 



ENGRAVED BY 

Johnson & Thompson 
Johnson & Thompson 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Adolf Borie 
Adolf Borie 
Nat Brown 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Geo. E. Johnson 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Kilburn 

Johnson & Thompson 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Adolf Borie 
Nat Brown 
Nat Brown 
Crosscup & West 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Adolf Borie 



PAGE 

23 



Lewis Engraving Co. 
Nat Brown 
Johnson & Thompson 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Geo. E. Johnson 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Johnson & Thompson 
Lewis Engraving Co. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, 



XI 



SUBJECT. 

Eagle Point, Mouth of Sunday Cove 

Aziscohos Mountain from Lake Umbagog 

A Fisherman's Spoils, Middle Dam. (Full 

page) 

Camping Out on Middle Dam Carry 

Outlet of the Pond in the River. (Full page) 

Angler's Retreat, Middle Dam, Lake Welo 

kennebacook . . 
A Middle Dam Trout. (Full page) 
The Old Middle Dam .... 
Old Middle Dam Camp .... 
Lake Welokennebacook from Angler's Re 

treat ....... 

Lake Molechuiikamunk from Metallak Point 
View down Lake Molechunkamunk from 

Birch Lodge 

The Heron's Nest ..... 
Brook Fishing, Lake Molechunkamunk . 
Aziscohos Mountain from Upper Dam Land 

ing 

Upper Dam Camps ..... 
Frye's Camp, Eagle Point, Lake Cupsuptic 
The Meeting of the Waters 

Camp Henry 

Rangeley Outlet ..... 
Rangeley Dam, at foot of Oquossoc Lake 
Lake Point Cottage ..... 
Rangeley Lake and Ram Island 
Camp Kennebago, Indian Rock 
Mooselucmeguntic House, Haines' Landing 
Allerton Lodge, Bugle Cove 
Lake Mooselucmeguntic .... 
View at Bemis Stream .... 
Sport at Bemis Stream .... 
Camp Aziscohos, Molechunkamunk Lake 
Tail-piece : Cleft Rock, Bemis Stream 
Initial Letter D : The Lone Fisherman . 
Camp Bellevue, Molechunkamunk Lake . 
Fishing at Mill Brook. (Full page) 
Metallak Brook 



DRAWN BY 

W. //. Garrett 

H. B. Colby . 

Special Photograph 
Special Photograph 
Special Photograph 

Photograph 
Special Photograph 
Photograph 
Photograph 

W. H. Garrett 
Photograph 

Photograph 
Special Photograph 
Special Photograph 

Photograph 
W. H. Garrett 
W. H. Garrett 

Special Photograph 

Photograph 

Photograph 

Photograph 
W. H. Garrett 

Photograph 

Photograph 
W. H. Garrett 

Photograph 

Photograph 
W. H. Garrett 

Special Photograph 

Photograph 
W. H. Garrett 

Bert Poole 

Photograph 

Special Photograph 

Special Photograph 



ENGRAVED BY 



Lewis Engraving Co. 193 

Geo. E. Johnson . 194 

Lewis Engraving Co. 195 

Adolf Borie . . 198 

Lewis Engraving Co. 199 

Johnson & Thompson 201 

Lewis Engraving Co. 202 

Johnson & Thompson 203 

Johnson & Thompson 204 

Lewis Engraving Co. 205 

Johnson & Thompson 206 



Nat Brown 
Adolf Borie 
Adolf Borie 

Geo. E. Johnson 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Adolf Borie 
Johnson & Thompson 
Adolf Borie 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Johnson & Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Johnson & Co. 
Johnson & Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Geo. E. Johnson 
Lewis Engraving Co. 
Adolf Borie 



207 
208 
209 

210 

211 

212 

213 
214 
215 
216 
217 
218 
219 
220 
221 

223 
224 

22 c 
226 
227 
228 
229 
230 



Xll 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



SUBJECT. 

Wooding Up, Lake Welokennebacook . 
Lakeview Cottage, Lake Welokennebacook 
I. Steamer and Buckboard at South 
Arm, Lake Welokennebacook 
II. Black Brook and Blue Mountain 
III. Devil's Oven, Black Brook Notch 
Natural Arch, Lake Road 
The Devil's Den, Lake Road. (Full page) 
Andover House, Andover, Me. 
Main Street, Andover, Me. (Full page) 
A Bit of Andover Corner 
Lower Fall, Cataract Brook 
Upper Fall, Cataract Brook 
The Flume, Cataract Brook 
Dunn's Notch from Below and Above 

At Luncheon 

View from Lakeside Hotel, Looking North 
west ...... 

View on Road, Lakeside Farm 

On the Piazza ..... 

Initial Letter E : Old John and Buckboard 

Breakfast on Metallak Island . 

The Lonely Camper 

Pine Point, Umbagog Lake 

Steamer and Buckboard at Sunday Cove 

Canoes at Sunday Cove 

A Deer Chase on Umbagog Lake . 

Camping out on Moll's Rock . 

A Shot at a Bald Eagle 

Camping at Foot of Big Meadow 

A Dry Crowd 

On the Magalloway .... 
Initial Letter A : Berlin Mills House 
A Camping-Party at Home 
Camping on the Magalloway River 
Shooting Partridges 
The Diamond Peaks 
The Guide on the Summit 
Dinner on Aziscohos 
Bleak House, Mount Aziscohos 



DRAWN BY 


ENGRAVED BY 


PAGE 


Photograph 


Johnson & Co. 


231 


C. JV. Reed . 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


233 


Special Photograph . 


Adolf Borie 


234 


Photograph 


Johnson & Co. 


235 


Special Photograph . 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


237 


Myrick 


Johnson & Co. 


239 


Special Photograph . 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


241 


Photograph 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


242 


W. H. Garrett 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


243 


Special Photograph 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


245 


Photograph 


Johnson & Co. 


247 


Bert Poole 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


251 


Bert Poole 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


252 


Special Photograph . 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


253 


Special Photograph 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


254 


Bert Poole 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


255 


Bert Poole 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


257 


Bert Poole 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


259 




Lewis Engraving Co. 


261 


Special Photograph 


Adolf Borie 


263 


Bert Poole 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


265 


M. M. Tidd . 


Geo. E. Johnson 


267 


W. H. Garrett 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


268 


Special Photograph 


Adolf Borie 


270 


W. H. Garrett 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


271 


Bert Poole 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


272 


Bert Poole 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


275 


W. H. Garrett 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


276 


Bert Poole 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


278 


Special Photograph 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


279 


Special Photograph 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


281 


W. H. Garrett 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


2S3 


W. H. Garrett 


Nat Brown 


2S5 


W. H. Garrett 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


288 


IV. H. Garrett 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


290 


W. H. Garrett 


Lewis Engraving Co. 


293 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



XI 11 



SUBJECT. 

View on the Magallovvay, just above the Bridge 

The Departure of the Girls 

Initial Letter P : Our Treasurer 

The Way Country Boys fish. (Full page) 

The Pickerel Party 

Pulpit Rock, Magallovvay River. (Full page) 
Steamer Parmachenee, at Flint's Landing 
On the Tramp .... 

Camp Furniture 

The Kingfishers 

Dinner by the Roadside . 

Building the Camp . 

Camp Complete 

The First Night's Lodging 

Initial Letter F: A Good .Strike 

A Little Difficulty. (Full page) 

Across the Carry 

A Lucky Shot .... 

A Fancy Sketch 

The Narrows, Looking down River 

Camp at the Narrows, Magalloway River 

Fishing on Magalloway River . 

Camp near Lincoln Brook Rips (Full page) 

A Hunting Party on the Magalloway 

A Queer Visitor .... 

Camp at Mouth of Lincoln Brook . 
Initial Letter H : Moose Head 
Trailing a Moose .... 

Lower Metallak Pond, from Magalloway River 

Lower Metallak Pond, Looking towards River, 

Hunter's Camp, Magalloway River 

The Lucky Hunters . 

A Wet Time ...... 

A Logging-crew at Home. (Full page) . 
Lumber Camp near Upper Metallak Pond 
A Gray Morning. (Full page) 
" Very Thin Water " .... 

Camp Landing, Little Magalloway . 
Camp on the Little Magalloway 
Running the Rapids. (Full page) . 



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XIV 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



SUBJECT. 

A Rest on Parniachenee Carry. (Full page) 

A Call to Supper 

In Camp on the Magallovvay 

Flint's Camp, Sunday Pond 

A Party we saw on the Way 

Initial Letter O : The Camp Fire 

Sacking Canoes 

Stone Dam, Little Magalloway 

The Pool, Little Magalloway . 

Parniachenee Lake, from Carry Landing 

Little Boy's Falls, Good Fishing. (Full page) 

Chasing a Caribou 

" Too Far Away " 

Little Boy's Falls. (Full page) 

" Death on Dumplings ! " 

The Bear and the Berries 

Initial Letter F: The Brook 

" Baked Beans ! " 

The Green Cook 

Beating Eggs . 

Great Fishing 

Youthful Habit Strong in Age 

Shooting a Moose. (Full page) 

A Lunch by the River 

A Narrow Escape 

A Sympathetic Friend 

Letter S : Studying the Route . 

The Forest Trail. (Full page) 

Looking for Game 

A Deer in Sight 

A Lucky Shot. (Full page) . 

Saddle-Back Mt., Grafton Notch. (Full page) 

On Cambridge River, Grafton, Me. (Full page) 

The Landlady at South Arm . . . . 

Ready to Start 

Umbagog Lake from Rapid River. (Full page) 
Looking East from Lakeside Hotel 
Speckled Mountain, Grafton Notch, Me. 

Screw Auger Falls 

View on Bear River . . . . , 

Tail-piece: The End of It All 



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THROUGH THE WILDS. 



CHAPTER I. 

DOWN BOSTON HARBOR. ON THE BRINY DEEP. ALONG THE COAST. — 

PLACES OF INTEREST. CAPE ANN. MAN OVERBOARD. THE RESCUE. 

. — ISLES OF SHOALS. PORTLAND HEAD. CUSHINg's ISLAND. PORT- 
LAND HARBOR. THE FOREST CITY. 




VIEW IN BOSTON HARCOK. 



^NY PERSON who had been on the 
forward deck of the steamer Fleet- 
wing one fine July morning- in the 
summer of '83, could scarcely hav^e 
0M overlooked a pfroup of four boys 
who were standing closely to- 
gether, busily engaged in conver- 
sation both interestinqr and amus- 
ing, judging from their earnestness and the hearty peals of laughter 
that were occasionally wafted to the bystanders. 

With an author's license, we will play eavesdropper for a few 
moments, while taking a mental survey of them. They are 
American boys, well dressed, with bright and intelligent faces, 
and their ages apparently from fifteen to eighteen. 

" Quarter past eight," exclaimed the youngest, taking out a 
nice silver watch and referring to it ; " in fifteen minutes more 
we shall be afloat on the briny deep." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



"We are now, Dick," returned the eldest, laughing, "for the 
water under us is briny, and deep also. High tide, you know." 
" Don't catch a fellow up so quick, George ; if you begin that 
sort of thing now, and propose to continue it during the trip, we 
shall bury you somewhere in the wilds, and return without you," 
and Dick gave his elder friend a good-natured poke in the ribs. 
The young gentlemen thus brought to our notice have long- 
been friends, and are to 
take a summer vacation 
toofether in New Enofland, 
and have already resolved 
to spend the. most of it in 
the woods. 

The youngest of the 
party, Dick Burton, was 
the son of a wealthy spec- 
ulator, whose parents, at 
the present time, were 
abroad, and being offered 
his choice between join- 
ing them for the summer 
in Europe or visiting the wilds of Maine with a party of his 
chums, had accepted the latter alternative as promising the most 
pleasure. Dick was a few months over fifteen, fond of shooting 
and fishing, and thought that a European tour would suit him a 
little better later in life. For the present, he preferred a visit to the 
bright lakes and sparkling streams where the speckled trout are 
easily lured to rise to an artificial fly, and in whose forest borders 
a quick eye, a steady hand, and a true aim, would furnish a fat 
buck for the camp larder. 




THE CAMPING PARTY. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 3 

His closest friend and steady companion, Fred Holmes, nearly 
a year older than Dick, was the son of a well-known clergyman 
of the Hub, whose family name, for various reasons, we have 
changed, and was known to his intimate friends only as the 
" Parson." Fred had studied a little too hard the past year, and 
his father had arranged the present excursion for his son, while 
the boy had made choice of companions, the three friends who 
accompanied him. 

The third in the party, Edward Bailey, or " Ned " as his chums 
called him, was seventeen years of age, the son of a wealthy 
dry-goods merchant, who had intended him for the same business. 
But Ned declared he would never be a counter-jumper, his tastes 
running in an entirely different direction. He had a decided pen- 
chant for work requiring the use of tools, and he hoped to be a 
machinist or engineer. 

The eldest of the group whom we are introducing, George 
Howe, was eighteen years old, tall, slim, and fine looking. His 
father was a newspaper publisher, and George, who aspired to 
either literature or the stage, had already begun reporting news 
items for the daily, and was a bright and shining light, perhaps 
we should say " star," in a South End Dramatic Club. 

The friendship of the four boys was of several years' standing, 
and they had made other trips together before of two or three 
weeks in length. But this was to be a protracted one, it being 
their intention to remain away from the city three or four months. 
The excursion had been talked over for weeks and weeks, and 
their talk and plans had finally culminated in their presence on 
board the steamboat this pleasant Monday morning in July, en 
route for Portland. 

George had favored making the run to Portland by rail, but 



4 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

Dick, who was very fond of the water, represented the pleasures 
of a sea-voyage by dayhght in such an enthusiastic manner, that 
he carried the point, and the party took passage on one of the 
St. John steamers. 

" All ashore that's goin'," now sang out a darky, poking his 
head out of the saloon door for a moment, and ringing a large 
bell, to call attention to his words. 

" Half-past eight," said Dick, consulting his watch again, " and 
now I suppose we are off." 

"There goes the bow line," remarked Fred, who had stepped 
to the side of the steamer, and was looking down on the dock. 

Just then the huge wheels began to revolve, one long whistle 
was heard, — a warning note for other craft, — and the beautiful boat 
moved slowly and majestically out from her dock. 

It was a very hot morning on shore, with scarcely a breath of 
wind, and the current of air that the boat made as she gathered 
headway, was fully appreciated by our young friends, who had 
obtained stools, and were seated just in front of the pilot-house, 
where they could command an extensive view of the harbor. 

A revenue cutter, several sailing and one steam yacht, and 
numerous vessels of all sizes and kinds peculiar to our merchant 
marine, were anchored near the wharves, and through these the 
steamer made her way, turning and twisting, as occasion demanded, 
until she had passed East Boston, and had a comparatively clear 
course, when her route was less circuitous, she only following 
the turns of the channel. 

The boat passed a dredging-machine, and the boys were much 
interested in its workings. And for some time they watched the 
large iron buckets, that went down with a rattle and splurge, 
and then reappeared loaded with mud, the water pouring from it 



wwm 



■'. iU 




6 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

in a stream, as it was dumped into scows that were anchored 
near. 

" That is a clumsy-looking machine," said Ned, as the dredger 
disappeared from sight ; "I believe I could improve on that." 

" Oh, let it alone," bantered the Parson ; " you are always 
improving something." 

" Yes, he's improving the shining hours now," put in Dick 
with a smile. 




VIKW IN KO^KIN liAKIlOK. 



" Belay your puns, Dick ! " exclaimed George with a make-believe 
frown, 

"There comes the Nantasket, boys," cried Ned; "what a crowd 
there is on her." 

"Yes; the business men who live at Hull and Hingham are 
just coming up to their stores," added the Parson. 

" I am glad we are heading from Boston instead of towards 
it; ain't you, my boy?" and Dick gave the Parson a slap on his 
thigh that made him wince. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



•' You need not break a fellow's leg if you are," replied his 
friend, at the same time moving out of reach. 

As the steamer reached Fort Independence, the attention of the 
boys was drawn towards it, and Ned asked his companions if 
either of them could tell him how old the fort was. All con- 
fessed ignorance to its age or history ; but for the benefit of our 
readers, some of whom, like Ned, may have curiosity about it, 
we quote a few facts : — 

"The first fort built upon Castle Island was constructed in 1634, and since that 
time the island has always been fortified. The works have been rebuilt a great 
many times. Castle William 
stood on this island when .::A'- 
the Revolutionary War broke 
out, and when the British 
troops were obliged to evac- 
uate Boston, they destroyed 
the fort and burned it to 
ashes. The Provincial forces 
then took possession of the 
island, and restored the fort. 
In 1798 its name was form- 
ally changed to Fort Independence, the President, John Adams, being present on 
the occasion. In 1798 the island was ceded to the United States. From 1785 
until 1805 this fort was the place appointed for the confinement of prisoners 
sentenced to hard labor, provision having been made in the act of cession to 
the United States that this privilege should be retained. The present fort is of 
comparatively recent construction.'' 

Directly opposite Fort Independence, across the main ship channel, 
is Fort Winthrop, still uncompleted, on Governor's Island. 

" I should like to know if Uncle Sam intends to finish that 
fort ? " queried Dick. 

" He don't seem to be in much of a hurry about it," answered 




FORT INDEPENDENCE. 



8 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



George ; "it has been in its present condition, as near as I can 
judge, since I was a child." 
A writer says of it : — 

"The island was granted to Governor Winthrop 1632, and was subsequently 
confirmed to his heirs. In 1640, the conditions of his ownership having already 
been once previously changed, he was granted the island on condition of paying 

one bushel of apples to the Governor and one to the 
General Court in winter annually. It continued in the 
-ole possession of the Winthrop family until 1808, when 
I part of it was sold to the Government for the purpose 
of erecting a fort, which was named Fort 
Warren. The name given to the work now 

in process of 
erection is Fort 
Winthrop, in 
honor of the 
Governor of 
Massachusetts 
Bay and first 
owner of the 
island ; while 
the name of 
the former fort 
has been trans- 
ferred to the 
fortification further down the harbor. When fully completed. Fort Winthrop is 
intended to be a most important defence to the harbor." 

The day, for a sea trip, was all that could be desired : warm 
and pleasant, with a perfectly clear atmosphere, enabling the boys 
to sight vessels a long distance off. and even George acknowledged 
that they were much more comfortable on the boat than they would 
have been on the cars. 

" There's the Government boat that runs between the city and 




1(;rt winthrop. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 




LONG ISLAND HEAD LIGHT. 



Fort Warren," exclaimed Dick, as a very fast and handsome tug 
flashed by them, heading up the harbor. "Isn't she a daisy?" 
" Ploughs the water as if she meant business," acknowledged the 
Parson. " I should not object to owning her." 
" 1 wish you did," added Ned, " and then 
you could take us off for a three months' 
cruise." 

The steamer now swung more to the 
eastward, heading for Broad Sound Channel, 
and the boys soon noticed Long Island on 
the starboard side, and Deer Island on the 
port, and questioned each other in regard to 
them, without gaining a great deal of infor- 
mation. On the bluff, or head, of Long Island, are a lighthouse and 
an uncompleted battery. The lighthouse was built in 1819. The 
tower is twenty-two feet in height, but the light is eighty feet above 
the sea. The tower is of iron, painted white ; the lantern has 
nine burners ; the liofht is fixed, and can be seen in a clear nio-fit 
about fifteen miles. The battery, intended to be a very strong 
one when completed, is still in course of construction, and will, 
no doubt, be finished some time, if Uncle Sam's purse is long 

enoup:h. 

Deer Island belongs to the city 
of Boston, and contains a number 
of fine buildings. It is noted as the 
place where common and uncom- 
mon drunks, after being run through 
the mill of the Police Court, and bounced out of the hopper, find 
rest for periods ranging from one to six months. 

"There is Nix's Mate," said George, pointing to a peculiar- 
looking object, rising out of the water to the right. 




u» Pom-r Li^HTt 



lO 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" Does it mark a reef there ? " asked Dick. 
" I believe so. Either a reef or shoal, and it runs in towards 
the shore a long way, as seen at low water. I have an idea 
that I have read something interesting connected with it, but don't 
remember now what it was." 

" You should cultivate your memory," declared the Parson. 

" Who knows but we have lost 
a first-rate yarn through your for- 
getfulness ? " 

As George could give no ac- 




IN' I70 




c^^::x?V»., 



count of this well-known beacon, 
we quote the following for the 
benefit of those of our 
readers who may feel in- 
terested, many 
of whom have, 
no doubt, no- 
ticed it when 
down the har- 
bor : — 



" East of Long Island Head there is 
a low, rocky island on which stands a 
singularly-shaped monument. It consists 
of a solid structure of stone, twelve feet 
in height, and forty feet square. All the stones in this piece of masonry are 
securely fastened together with copper. Upon it stands an octagonal pyramid 
of wood, twenty feet high, and painted black. It is supposed that this monu- 
ment was erected in the earliest years of the present century, though the date 
is not known. Its purpose was to warn vessels of one of the most dangerous 
shoals in the harbor. This island is called Nix's Mate, though for what reason 
is not known. There is a tradition, unsupported by facts, that the mate of a 



• , —7— -^ *"'' . :-»» 

j_o \ry 1 1 D e:/ '~ 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



II 



vessel of which one Captain Nix was master, was executed upon the island, for 
killing the latter. But it was known as 'Nix's Island,' as long ago as 1636, 
and this would seem to dispose of the story. It is, however, true that several 
murderers and pirates have been hanged upon the island, and one William Fly 
was hanged there in chains in 1726 for the crime of piracy, on which occasion, 
the Boston News Letter informs us. Fly ' behaved himself very unbecomingly, 
even to the last.' It is a part of the tradition above referred to that Nix's mate 
declared his innocence, and asserted as a proof of it that the island would 
be washed away. If any such prophecy was ever made, it has certainly been 




Hjrt- vArreh 



fulfilled. We know by the records that 
1 it contained in the neighborhood of twelve 
J-^.^^ acres in 1636 ; there is now not more than 
one acre of shoal, and there is not a ves- 
tige of soil remaining." 



" There is Fort Warren," cried Ned, pointing off to starboard, 
"but we are not going very near it." 

" Yes," said Dick, " and I can see Boston Light farther out, 
and way beyond it the tall shaft of Minot's." 

" I mean to visit the islands in the harbor some time," said the 
Parson. "Wouldn't you like to, Dick?" 

" First-rate. I should like to go up into one of the lighthouses 
also." 



12 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" We will take a day some time next summer, hire a steam- 
yacht, and do them all," added George. " I should like to know 
their history, — it must be interesting." 

As some of my readers may be of George's opinion, I quote 
the following in regard to these well-known places : — 

" Fort Warren is situated on George's Island, near the entrance to the harbor, 
and is the most famous of all the defences of the city. George's Island was 
claimed as the property of James Pemberton of Hull, as early as 1622. His 
possession of it having been confirmed, it was bought, sold, and inherited by 
numerous owners, until 1825, when it became the property of the city of Boston. 
It is now, of course, under the jurisdiction of the United States Government. 

The construction of the present fort was begun in 
April, 1833, and was completed in 1850. The material 
is finely-hammered Quincy granite, and the stone faces, 
as well as those parts that have been protected with 
earth and sodded over, are as neat and trim as art 
can make them. The fort is one of great strength, 
but it has never vet been needed to defend the 

BOSTON LIGHT. •' 

harbor of Boston. During the Rebellion, it was used 
as a place of confinement for noted Confederate prisoners, the most famous of all 
being the rebel commissioners to Europe, Mason and Slidell, who were sent 
here for confinement, after their capture on board the Trent by Commodore 
Wilkes. 

" About two miles from Fort Warren, nearly due east, and at the entrance 
of the harbor, is the Boston Light. The island on which it stands has been 
used as a lighthouse station since 17 15, when the General Court of the Colony passed 
the necessary acts. The land was generously given to the Colony by the owners 
of it, though as there is soil on only about three-quarters of an acre, the rest 
of the two or three acres being bare jagged rock, the gift entailed no great loss 
upon them. In the time of the Revolution, the lighthouse was the object of much 
small warfare, and was several times destroyed and rebuilt. In 1783 it was once 
more restored by the State, being built this time of stone ; and it is this light- 
house which still sta:nds at the mouth of the harbor, though it has since been 
enlarged and refitted several times. The top of the lighthouse now stands ninety- 




THROUGH THE WILDS. 



13 



eight feet above the level of the sea, and is fitted with a revolving light which 
can be seen from a distance of sixteen nautical miles in fair weather. 

" Still nearer to Fort Warren, and on the direct line to Boston Light, is the 
Spit, or Bug Light. It is a curious structure. The lower part is a system of 
iron pillars fixed in the rock, affording no surface for the waves to beat against 
and destroy. The fixed red light is about thirty-five feet above the level of the 
sea, and can be seen at a distance of about seven miles in clear weather. This 
light was built in 1856. Its object is to warn navi- 
gators of the dangerous obstacle known as Harding's 
Ledge, about two miles out at sea, east of Point 
Allerton, at the head of Nantasket Beach." 

The boat was now well along 
in Broad Sound Channel, and the 
boys were watching and com- 
menting on the islands still in 
sight. Off on the starboard side 
lay the three Brewsters, and 
beyond, westerly, the 
Graves. The ocean 
was comparatively 
quiet, and there was 
but little sea on. It 
looked as if one could 
land on the Graves 
from a row-boat with comparative ease, but to see these cruel rocks 
m a northeast gale, with the breakers dashing in immense volumes 
of white angry water, and with thunderous roar submerging these 
ledges, you would say these islands were rightly named. 

An excursion steamer from Nahant now passed them, and the 
boys waved their hats and handkerchiefs at the passengers, some of 
whom returned the compliment. 




l^tig VS\^\\% 



H 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



"Were you ever at Nahant, Dick?" asked George. 
" No ; but I mean to go some time, and visit Maolis Garden." 
"That don't amount to much ; I have been in it. But I can never 
pass Nahant headland without a shudder. I had a narrow escape 
from death there one night." 

"How was that?" eagerly inquired the Parson. 
" A party of six of us left City Point, South Boston, one evening, 
about seven o'clock, to go down to Swampscott to a muster. Ned 
Bray was to be one of the party, but business called him to Lynn 

that afternoon, and he agreed to meet 
us at Nahant, if we would run in there 
and pick him up. We promised to do 
so, and I told him we should probably 
ofet there about eio-ht or nine o'clock. 
" We started from the Point in a 
large sloop yacht, all of us in first- 
rate spirits. There was a light south- 
T).-- c^xc^t^- -^lilf^T erly breeze, and I laid a straight 

course for Broad Sound. Only one 
of my companions was at all familiar with the art of sailing 
a boat, so he and I took turns in the management of our 
craft. 

" The evening was beautiful when we left the wharf, and we 
naturally anticipated a very pleasant sail. But the poet says 

'The best-laid schemes of mice and men gang aft aglee,' 

and it was so in our case." 

"Did the poet say that all alone by himself?" broke in Ned, 
with a roguish smile. 

" Now, Ned, if you interrupt me in that way again, I'll call the 




THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 5 

captain and have you put down in the bilge hole," and George 
shook his finger warningly at the joker. 

" Reel off your yarn, and I'll keep him quiet, George," added 
Fred. 

" All right. Lay him on the deck and sit down on him if he 
speaks again," laughed George, and resumed his story. " We had 
passed Deer Island and were about half-way between that and Nahant, 
with all the harbor lights visible, when in five minutes, before I 
noticed it, talking and laughing as we were, there rolled in a fog 
as thick as mud, and hid everything from view. 

" When the lights disappeared we were heading in a bee line 
for the steamboat landing at Nahant. But as the fog increased, 
the wind changed and came out from the eastward, and began 
to blow a little fresher than I cared to have it. I had neglected 
to take a compass, and, as you may suppose, that did not help 
matters any. 

" We began to tear through the water at a rate that frightened 
two of the timid ones, and every few minutes we were plentifully 
spattered from the spray of some large roller breaking on the 
weather bow. 

" It was not exactly dark, for the moon was shining above and 
making an ineffectual attempt to pierce the fog, but still we could 
only see for the length of a fathom or two around us, and I 
began to feel uneasy as to our exact position. 

" For the last half-hour I had laid our course as near as 
I could by the wind, and I called Tom Smith up to me, on 
whom I depended for help in working the boat, and asked him 
in a whisper if he had any idea where we were. He thought 
we must be about opposite West Lynn, and said I had better 
change the course and run for the shore. 



1 6 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" As 1 could think of nothing better to do, I followed his 
advice. During the last half-hour the wind had increased very 
much, and the boat rushed through the water with ' a bone in 
her teeth,' and we were fast getting wet through. 

" For fifteen minutes, I should judge, we dashed on in this 
manner, when suddenly I was startled by the noise of breakers, 
I cast an inquiring glance towards Tom, and saw that his face 
was turned in the direction of the sound, and that he was listening 
attentively. 

" The next moment the fog lifted, or cleared, a little, so that 
a few rays of moonlight illumined the angry waters before us, 
and right ahead I saw " — 

"What?" broke in Dick, excitedly. 

"The ragged walls of Nahant, with the breakers dashing up on 
the scarred and honeycombed rocks some twenty or thirty feet. 

"Tom took in the situation at the same moment, and being 
better acquainted with Nahant than I was, — he had lived there one 
summer, — knew exactly where we were. 

" With an expression on his face that I shall never forget, 
he cried, — 

"'The Swallow's Cave! Hard-a-port your helm — hard-a-port ! 
If she misses stays our lives are not worth a farthing,' and seizing 
an oar he put it out on the port side and pulled for dear life. 

"The boat came up to the wind lively, but moved slower as 
the sails shivered in the wind's eye, and I actually believe that 
if it had not been for Tom's oar she would have missed stays, 
for she had a trick of doing it sometimes in rough water, and 
there was a very heavy sea on by that time. 

" I hauled the windward jib sheet as tight as I could draw it, 
and only slacked it off when the boat had swungr around so far 



1 8 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

that her lee rail was under water, and I knew there was no 
danger of her going back on us ; then trimming the mainsail 
we hove away from our dangerous position. 

" The fog thickened again ; and after running on our present 
tack fifteen minutes by my watch, I slacked off the sheets, squared 
away, and run awhile before the wind until I felt satisfied that we 
had cleared Nahant, when I put my helm to port, hauled in our 
sheets, and stood for the shore. 

"After running on that course as long as I dared, I brought the 
boat into the wind, had the boys haul down the jib, and we 
dropped anchor. Then Tom jumped into the tender and pulled 
away to see if he could discover where we were. It was then 
about ten o'clock. 

" He was gone nearly an hour, and when he returned he brought 
Ned Bray with him, who told us he had been waiting on the 
wharf for two hours, and was half frozen. 

"Tom informed me that we were not more than half a mile from 
the steamboat wharf. We hauled up the anchor, hoisted the jib, and 
Tom took the helm, as he had the best idea of where the wharf lay. 

"The fog was as thick as ever; so I went forward, and, lying 
down on deck, peered into the mist, ready to announce the first 
sight of land. 

" The boat sped toward the shore like an arrow, occasionally 
shipping a barrel or two of water, that wet us all to the skin, 
for none of the boys would go into the cabin, although they 
might have kept dry there ; and in a few moments I saw off on 
the starboard bow a large white object, looking dim and ghostly, 
as it appeared suddenly through the fog. It was the steamboat 
lying at the wharf, and we were but a short distance from it, 
and were running parallel with it. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 19 

" I was just rising" to my feet to slack away the jib halyards, 
when I made out a cat-boat at anchor directly ahead of us, and 
not twenty feet distant. 

" ' Starboard your helm ! ' I shouted. ' Quick ! hard-a-starboard ! ' 
and, excited with the impending collision, my voice rose far above 
the roar of the wind and water. Tom heard me, and obeyed the 
order promptly. But he was not quick enough for the speed at 
which we tore throuofh the waves, and the next moment we struck 
the boat amidships with a tremendous crash, cutting her almost 
in two, our boat swinorinof clear of her as she sank. 

" The shock of the collision brought me to the deck all in a 
heap ; but the moment I had scrambled up, I let go the jib and 
mainsail halyards, and yelled to Tom to haul in the main sheet ; 
and the next moment we had landed on the beach, with our bow 
nearly out of water, bringing up so suddenly as to throw every- 
body down, while I went heels over head out on the shore. 
Luckily it was sand and gravel where I struck, and I was not 
hurt much ; but my temper was terribly ruffled, and I inwardly 
consigned the fog to Davy Jones's locker. 

" Rising to my feet, I called to Tom to light the lantern and 
bring it forward ; and when he came we examined the boat care- 
fully, but found our craft had escaped serious injury, having had only 
a few splinters knocked off, and her paint badly rubbed in two or 
three places. We had a nice job then in getting her afloat, for 
she had struck solid, and had only been so slightly damaged 
from the fact that there was not a rock on the spot where she 
had piled up on the beach. After half an hour's hard labor we 
succeeded in floating our yacht, and pulled her over to the wharf, 
which was but a short distance away, and made her fast. 

"Then Tom and I took the tender, and rowed out to where 



20 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

we had struck the other boat, to see if she had come to the 
surface. But we could see nothing of her. By the aid of our 
lantern, however, we found a rudder and pair of oars floating 
about : these we picked up, and carried back to the yacht. 

" It was then nearly twelve o'clock, and we were all wet to 
the skin, and shivering with the cold; while Joe Chick said he 
was hungry enough to eat Limburger cheese, and he exactly 
voiced the sentiments of the entire party. 

" As there was no stove in our boat, we climbed up on the 
wharf and skirmished around for fuel. An old dry-goods case 
and a fence In the vicinity supplied us, and we soon had a 
good fire under way, whose bright blaze both cheered and warmed 
us. Then we cooked our supper and made some coffee, and, 
while quieting our appetites, talked over the accident, for such it 
was, pure and simple ; and as none in the party appeared anxious 
to pay for the boat we had unfortunately ruined, it was the 
unanimous opinion of the whole party, that the earlier we made 
sail in the mornine, the better it would be. So with that 
understanding, we extinguished the fire, put our things on board, 
and turned in for a few hours' sleep. 

" About four o'clock I awoke, called my companions, and after 
depositing the rudder and oars belonging to the sunken boat on 
the wharf, we cast off and made sail. There was just a light 
ripple on the water, barely enough to give us steerage-way, but 
by the aid of an ash breeze we lost no time running away from 
the scene of the accident. 

" As we passed the steamboat, one of the deck-hands hailed 
us, inquiring if we did not run into a boat when we came in last night. 
Tom told him that was a great moral question, and we could not 
spare time to answer it ; and we continued on our course without 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



21 



further talk. We had a good run to the city, reaching the Point 
about nine o'clock. After paying for the boat, we put for our homes ; 
but, no matter how long I live, I never shall forget that night." 

" Did you ever learn who owned the boat you sank ? " asked 
Dick. 

" No, I did not. As you may imagine, there were none of 
us particularly anxious to look the matter up ; but it must have 
been a mystery to him unless he was enlightened by some of 
the steamer's crew," 

By this time the Fleetwing was opposite Egg Rock Light, and 
the bows had a orood view of that, 
also Lynn Beach. Occasionally 
some small coaster, three-masted 
schooner, or square-rigged vessels, 
passed them, drawing their atten- 
tion for a few monients from the 
panoramic view of the coast they 
were enjoying so much. At a dis- 
tance they saw the islands and hills, 
the summer hotels and villages, of 

the North Shore, and passed successively the pleasant boroughs 
of Swampscott, Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, Gloucester, and Cape 
Ann. The steamer passed within a stone's-throw of Thatcher's 
Island, giving them a fine view of the Double Lights, so well 
known to our hardy mariners. After passing these, and when 
abeam of the Londoner, — a small rock marked with an upright 
pole, around whose foot the angry waters continually foam, — 
the steamer's course was changed more to the north ; and shortly 
after they sighted Mount Agamenticus, which grew larger with 
each mile they advanced. 




22 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



A mile beyond, the steamer reached the Salvages, a group of 
two or three low islands off to the left ; and while passing these, 
an exciting event took place. 

For some time past the boys had looked with disgust upon 
a rough specimen of humanity who had been staggering about the 
deck, and occasionally accosting one of the party in that foolish 
and unmeaning manner so natural to a drunken man. 




THATCHER'S ISLAND LIGHTS. 



Not receiving any encouragement from the boys to converse, he had 
" beat over," as Dick expressed it, to the starboard side of the steamer, 
and was leaning over the rail, when suddenly, in some unaccountable 
manner, he pitched head foremost over the bulwark. The Parson saw 
him, and promptly gave the alarm, crying out, " Man overboard ! " 

Instandy all was excitement. One of the pilots rang for the 
engineer to stop, yelled through the speaking-tube, " Man overboard ! " 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



23 




~^ sTUE ioONt-frPR . 



and ordered the man at the wheel to " keep her steady." The first 
mate happened to be in the wheel-house. Out he rushed, threw 
over two or three life-preservers, 
and, calling- to some of the deck- 
hands, hurried aft to one of the 
starboard quarter boats. 

The boys followed the mate, 
eager to see all of interest, and 
watched the process of launching 
the boat. This was accomplished 
more readily than sometimes hap- 
pens in such cases, and showed the crew was well drilled for 
emergency ; and in three minutes from the time the alarm was 
given, the boat was afloat, and under way on her humane mission. 
As the boat struck the water, George jumped lightly up on the 
bulwark, and, holding on by a stanchion, took a look for the strug- 
gling man. He soon saw him, and pointed him out to the mate, 

who was in command 
of the boat ; while 
the crew bent to 
their oars with a will 
that sent their craft 
rushing through the 
water. Standing 
erect in the stern 
sheets, with the tiller 
lines in his hands, 
the mate kept his eye on the inebriate, and occasionally gave a 
command to his crew. 

" It's lucky for that rum-sucker it is such a still da}," said Dick. 




24 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" That's so," replied George ; " and it is lucky for him that the 
mate was equal to the emerg-ency, and backed by a willing crew. 
I tell you, boys, this boat is well manned. All the officers I 
have seen look and act like gentlemen, and the crew are proving 
their metal now. Don't they walk that boat along ? " 

"They pull handsomely," replied Ned; "but if that loafer hasn't 
caught a life-preserver, or can't swim, he'll drown before the boat 
reaches him." 

" I guess the bath he's taken will sober him a little," added 
the Parson. 

"It looks to me as if he had hold of something — hurrah! he 
has — either one or two of the life-preservers," cried George. 
" Now he's all right, for the boat is most up to him. My stars ! 
how those fellows are pulling ! They every one, mate included, 
deserve a medal from the Humane Society." 

The boys, with many of the other passengers, watched the 
attempt at rescue, with anxious suspense, and were finally gratified 
by seeing the boat reach the unfortunate victim of his own 
indiscretion, and the crew haul him in. 

The steamer meanwhile had been slowly backing, and had 
materially lessened the distance between the two boats. 

As the rescuing party turned their boat to retrace their way 
to the steamer, a cheer went up from the passengers, and they 
watched its return with eager eyes, meantime speculating on the 
condition of the half-drowned man. It was amusing to hear the 
various opinions expressed, — some thinking he was hurt, and others 
not ; but all seemed to be of the opinion that if he was alive 
he was pretty thoroughly sobered. 

The wheels of the steamer yet revolved slowly, and she was 
backed to within a few fathoms of the boat, giving the passengers 



26 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

a chance to see inside of it plainly. The man who had fallen 
overboard was lying in the stern sheets with his head pillowed 
on the mate's breast, and the blood was seen running down his 
face, from a cut over his right eye. 

A few moments later, and the party reached the steamer. The 
rescued man was passed up on board and carried down to the 
gentlemen's cabin, he being too weak to walk. The davit blocks 
were hooked into the rings, and the boat hoisted on board, and 
the steamer resumed her trip after an hour's delay. 

There happened to be a physician among the passengers, and 
he attended the miserable victim of intemperance, and did what 
was necessary for the man's comfort. 

When the doctor appeared in the saloon again he was besieged 
by the older passengers who wished to satisfy their curiosity. 

The doctor, who was rather a taciturn individual, told them the 
man would be all right the next day. That he must throw up 
the salt water he had swallowed, and get rested. That the cut 
on his forehead did not amount to much, and had been caused, 
the man thought, by one of the floats of the wheel striking him ; 
and then refused to say anything more, and devoted himself to 
his book. 

The boys now returned to their place of observation on the 
saloon deck, in front of the pilot-house, and took their former 
seats. Off to the left, or port side, they could see in the 
distance Ipswich and Newburyport, Plum Island, the mouth of 
the Merrimac, Hampton and its beaches. Rye and Rye Beach, 
and a number of Hehthouses scattered alono- shore. The Isles of 
Shoals next attracted their attention, and from the steamer's deck, 
with their glass, they could easily discern the large hotels of 
that celebrated summer resort. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 27 

" Who has ever been to the Isles of Shoals ? " asked Dick, 
after they had talked for some time about them. 

" I have," replied George. " I was down there two years ago." 

"Much of a place?" inquired Ned. 

" So-so. Nice boating and fishing, bathing, too, if you like 
it. Fine, roomy hotels, with splendid piazzas. Just the thing for 
evening promenades, with a pretty girl hanging on your arm, and 
gazing up into your face with her soulful eyes." 

" Yum, yum," broke in Ned. " Don't go on in that kind of 
a strain, or you will make me nervous." 

"Any drives?" asked Dick, who was fond of horses. 

"Well, no. The islands are all nearly barren rock. But around 
the hotels there are small patches of lawn, and some flower-beds 
on foreign soil. That is to say, all the dirt of which they are com- 
posed was brought from the main land, there not being any on 
the island." 

" An expensive garden that, I should think," suggested the Parson. 

"Yes. It must have cost a great deal of money to get the 
place into its present shape." 

"How many islands are there in the group?" queried Ned. 

" I don't know the exact number, but the principal ones are 
Duck, Hog, Smutty-nose, — which you may remember as the scene 
of a frightful tragedy a few years ago, — Star, and White. That 
is White Island, the one where you see the lighthouse." 

A little information about this romantic group of islands may 

not come amiss at this time, and we quote what follows in regard 

to them : — 

"The history of the Isles dates back to July 15, 1605, when the pinnace of 
the French navigators, DeMonts and Champlain, piloted by the ill-fated Pan- 
ounias and his faithful bride Onagimon, sailed by them. The security which they 



^ 



28 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



offered from the Indians made them very early the resort of fishermen ; and by the 
middle of the seventeenth century they were the home of a large and busy 
community of fishermen and traders. The first settlers appear to have been a 
wild and lawless set, among whom women were prohibited from living. With 
prosperity came better manners apparently, and the law became obsolete, as the 
following enactment of the General Court, held at Gorgeana in 1650, shows: — 

" ' It was ordered, upon the petition of 
William Wormwood, that as the fishermen of the 
Isles of Shoals will entertain womanhood, they 
have liberty to sit down there, provided they 
shall not sell neither wine, beare, or liquor.' 

" One cause of the degeneracy of the 
islanders a century later, it may be noted here, 
was attributed to their having substituted ardent 
liquors for the use of a wholesome drink called 
bounce, ' composed of two-thirds spruce beer and 
one-third wine,' — whether under the influence 
of 'womanhood' or not, our informant, Charles 
Chauncey, does not say. The principal settle- 
ment was at first upon Appledore, or Hog; 
but about 1679, f°^ some unexplained cause, 
this island was entirely deserted, and a settle- 
ment was made on Star Island, which after- 
wards was incorporated as the town of Gosport. 
This soon became a town of some four hundred 
inhabitants, doing a very considerable fishing 
business. The town records contain many 
very curious and interesting entries, among 
which the following is perhaps unique : — 
then their was a meating called and it was 
Mr. Deeken William Muchmore Mod- 




THE CHASiM, STAR ISLAND. 



"'On March ye 25 177 1, 
gurned until the 23d day of Apirel. 
erator.' 

"At the outbreak of the Revolution the people were ordered off the islands, 
as it was feared that they would give aid to the British. A few only returned 
at the close of the war; and from that time the population has gradually dimin- 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



29 



ished, until now the islands are simply the temporary abode of the valetudinarian 
and the summer idler. 

" It were vain to attempt to describe the varied charms which these barren 
rocks have for those who love the ocean, to tell of the countless rifts and 
chasms into which the sea has rent the shore, or to point out the solitary cliffs 
on which, to one looking over the broad expanse of the deep, there comes such 
a strange exhilaration and fulness of enjoyment. But it is an experience of a 
lifetime to stand on sucii a spot during 
an easterly gale, and watch 

" ' The mad Atlantic, 
When surge on surge would heap enorme 
Cliffs of emerald topped with snow, 
That lifted and lifted, and then let go. 
A great white avalanche of thunder. 

And whenever the weight of ocean is 

thrown 
Full and fair on White Island Head, 

A great mist-jotum you will see. 

Lifting himself up silently. 
High and huge o'er the lighthouse top. 
With hands of wavering spray outspread. 

Groping after the little tower.' 

" Each island has its peculiar attrac- 
tions, as each has its own rote, or sound 
made by the surf upon the shore. On 
Star is the monument erected to Capt. 

John Smith, on which were originally three turk's-heads. He gave the islands 
liis own name, and w^as for a long time supposed to have been their discoverer. 
On the same island is also Betty Moody's Hole, where a woman is said to have 
hidden herself during an Indian raid, with her two children, whom she killed, 
lest their cries should reveal her hiding-place. There is also here a fine chasm, 
with walls rising to a heigiit of some fifty feet. A shelf of the bluff, facing 
the ocean, is called Miss Underhill's Chair, after a school-teacher who was swept 
from it by a great wave some years ago. Other accidents, it is said, have taken 
place here ; and he is foolhardy who will risk his life for a seat in the fatal chair. 




SMITH'S MONUMENT, STAR ISLAND. 



30 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" On Smutty-Nose are the house of Samuel Haley (who in the last century 
did so much for the material prosperity of the islands), and the cottage where 
Wagner so foully murdered two women in 1873, as well as the graves of the 
fourteen Spanish sailors, the crew of some unknown L;hip wrecked here in 18 13. 
Standing by these mounds, Mrs. Thaxter's lines have a tender significance : — 

" ' O sailors ! did sweet eyes look after you 
The day you sailed away from sunny Spain ? ' 

" On Appledore there is a rude monument, or cairn of stones, which a 
doubtful tradition says was built by Captain Smith in 1613, or thereabouts. Haw- 
thorne says of the valley which divides the island, that in old times ' the sea 




SCKNE OF THE WAGNKK MUKDER, SMUTTY-NOSE ISLAND. 

flowed quite through, . . . and that boats used to pass.' During the storm 
which overthrew the Minot's Ledge Lighthouse he adds, ' a great wave passed 
entirely through this valley, and Laighton describes it, where it came in from 
the sea, as toppling over to the height of the cupola of his hotel.' 

" White Island will always have a peculiar interest as the place where Mrs. 
Celia Thaxter spent six years of her childhood. Her father, the Hon. Henry 
B. Laighton, accepted the position of lighthouse keeper out of disgust for political 
life, and from the time he entered upon his duties till the day of his death, 
twenty-five years later, it is said he never again set foot on the main land. 
There are not many things in literature more touching than the account which 
Mrs. Thaxter gives in her book, 'Among the Isles of Shoals,' of life on the 
lonely rock. It is a beautiful picture which she paints of the child tending her 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



31 



solitary fern, watching the flowers, the insects, the birds, the sea, cUmbing the 

lighthouse stairs at dusk to Hght the lamps, or sitting in the outer darkness, 

lantern in hand, at the landing-place, 

to guide home her father's boat, — 

a picture whose fair beauty is but 

heightened by the shades which 

storm and shipwreck occasionally 

throw over it. Possibly there is 

no similar instance of so mucli 

of true poetry springing from such 

unpromising soil as a lighthouse 

keeper's home." 




OLD CHURCH, STAR 
ISLAND. 








"Thank fortune, that means dinner," said 
Dick, as a darky appeared, ringing a bell 
and announcing " Dinner, sar ! " 
The boys, who were all 
hungry, did not wait for a 
second invitation, but started 

for the forward part of the saloon, where dinner 

was served, and were shown seats at a table by 

the attentive waiters. They found the bill of fare 

very inviting, and kept four of the waiters trotting 

all the time, until they had blunted the edge of 

their hunger. Then they began to take breath, 

and talk a little, and the dinner came in for 

^ a large amount of praise. 

" They set a splendid table on these boats. 

^P^ don't you think so, fellows ? " inquired Ned, who 

"DINNER, SAR!" was just about to attack his second plate of cream. 

"They give a fine dinner," replied George, "and everything 

else about the boat seems to be first-class also." 



32 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 




" I told you this was the way to make the trip to Portland," said Dick. 

" So you did, Parson, and I am glad you persuaded me to 
try the steamer." 

After dinner the young fellows went out 
on deck, and made their way to the stern of 
the steamer, where they sat down 
on the port side, from which the)- 
had an interrupted view of the 
coast. The boat had just passed 
a lighthouse, to the left of them, 

which they learned on inquiry was Boon Island Light, when Dick 
caueht siofht of another further inshore. 

o o 

Boon Island was the scene of one of the most terrible ship- 
wrecks ever happening on the New England coast. The Nottingham, 
an English vessel, was wrecked on this barren rock in October, 
1 8 1 1 , and before being rescued her crew were compelled to resort 
to cannibalism to sustain life. 

" I wonder what light that is inshore," remarked Dick, with 

an inquiring look at his friends. 
A gentleman who sat near, 
seeing that none of the party 
answered, informed Dick that 
it was Cape Neddick Light. 

The boys remained at the 
stern of the boat for about 
two hours, watching the vari- 
ous vessels in sio-ht, as, with 
white wings spread, they headed 
for near or distant ports, and the different lighthouses as the 
steamer passed them, obtaining a great deal of information from 



i." 



:®S' -iKffi^S'^S: 



.atiij!i!!5Ki.i>»fc.,-, 



I ;?oo^ ls}a.n.Z J[.!rr}y r 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



7>Z 



the crentleman who had answered Dick's query. He appeared 
to be perfectly famiHar with all objects along the coast line, and 




DISTANT VIEW DOUBLE LIGHTS, CAPE ELIZABETH. 

pointed out to them successively, Wells Beach, Goat Island Light, 
Cape Porpoise, Wood Island Light, Old Orchard Beach, the White 
Mountains, which loomed grandly up in the northwest, sharply 




PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT. 



outlined against the turquoise blue of the sky, Scarborough Beach, 
and the Whisding Buoy off Richmond Island, and related many 



34 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 




CUSHING'S ISLAND. 



interestino- incidents in connection with some of the places, which 

would almost fill a volume by themselves. As the boat drew near 

the two lights on 
Cape Elizabeth, 
the boys thanked 
the gentleman for 
his timely infor- 
mation, and then 
went forward 
a or a in. After 
passing the light- 
houses, the 
steamer followed 
the shore on the 

port side, never at any very great distance from it, until she reached 

her dock in Portland. 

The boys were delighted with what they saw of Portland Har- 
bor, dotted with its numerous 

islands, and small steamers and 

sailine craft. None of them had 

ever seen it before, and Portland 

Head Lieht, Cushino-'s Island, 

with its sightly and handsome 

hotel and picturesque cottages. 

Forts Preble and Scammel, the 

breakwater and its modest light- 
house, were all objects of interest 

to them. 

The steamer's landing was at Railroad Wharf; and from there 

the boys took a hack to the Preble House, the best-kept hotel in 




THROUGH THE WILDS. 



3S 



the city, where they arrived at five o'clock. As they felt rather 
tired from their steamboat ride and its attendant excitement, they 
concluded to spend the evening quietly at the house, go to bed 
early, and leave sight-seeing until the next day, as they would have 
the whole forenoon in the city, the train on which they were to 
depart for the north not leaving until one o'clock ; and this pro- 
(jramme was carried out to the letter. 




z^ 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 




CHAPTER II. 

SIGHT-SEEING IN PORTLAND. A TRIP IN THE HARBOR. A TOUGH STORY. 

AN ANGRY SHERIFF. THE LAUNCH. A RUNAWAY HORSE. BEAU- 
TIFUL SCENERY. LEGENDS. GORHAM, N. H. ASCENT OF MOUNT 

HAYES. THE LAST MOUTHFUL. 



ET us SEE all of the city possible while here," said 
George the next morning, as they descended to the 
dining-room. 
^^_y\ " Rieht you are," replied the Parson, " we'll take 

\, ^^gl!:l it all in if we can." 

"-^^Si^"" After breakfast they adjourned to the office, 

and had a talk with one of the clerks, from whom they obtained 
a few points about the objects of interest, and then sallied out 
to do the city. 

As it was nearly high water, they first took a horsecar, and 
rode out to Munjoy Hill, and visited the Observatory, the view 
from here being much finer at high tide, for then the unsightly 
fiats that nearly surround the city are covered up. There is no 
better place from which to see the city and its environs than 
from the top of this Observatory ; and much to the surprise of 
the boys, who were delighted with the views obtained through 
the telescope, an hour passed away before they realized it. An 
enthusiastic writer says, — 

" It is impossible to describe in language adequate to its beauty the view 
which bursts upon one as he enters the lantern of the tower. The city, the 
bay with its hundred green isles, the illimitable ocean, long stretches of fertile 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



37 



land dotted with villages, innumerable hills culminating in Mount Washington, 
lie before one in almost bewildering beauty. Which ever way you turn, there 
meets the eye something which seems to surpass all other points in loveliness. 
To the east one can distinguish the lighthouse on Seguin Island at the mouth 
of the Kennebec. To the west one can look down upon Scarborough and Old 
Orchard beaches. In front are Peak's and Cushing's Islands, with the grand 
Whitehead ClifiE guarding the harbor entrance, and beyond is the ocean. Cape 
Elizabeth, with its lighthouses and hotels, seems to lie at our feet, and we can 
almost fancy that we can hear the surf which beats upon its rocky shore. Inland 
the view is no less 
hne. There is no 
water, save that of the 
Back Cove just under- 
neath us ; but the smil- 
ing country, with the 
distant mountain range, 
combine to make a pic- 
ture of such fascination, 
that it is difficult to tear 
one's self away from it. 
A short distance from 
the Observatory is the 
Eastern Promenade, — 
a broad esplanade bor- 
dered by noble trees, 
from beneath which one 
looks over the Bay to- 
wards Harpswell. The 

large building beyond, in the opposite village of Deering, is the United States Marine 
Hospital. To the right, nearer the Portland shore, is a pretty island, owned and occu- 
pied by the Hon. J. H. Baxter, one of Portland's richest and most enterprising citizens, 
as a summer residence. Tlie beautiful public library building on Congress Street was 
a gift from Mr. Baxter to the city. At the other end of the city, on Bramhall's Hill, 
is the Western Promenade, situated on the very edge of a steep pine-clad declivity. 
This spot, which is best visited towards sunset, is to the White Mountains what the 
terrace at Berne is to the Alps. The whole range from Washington to Chocorua 
stretches along the horizon, and one should wait and see how the different peaks glow 
in the last rays of the sinking sun, while the evening shades creep over the lowlands 




WHITEHEAD CLIFF, CUSHING'S ISLAND. 



38 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



beneath. The building which crowns the hill on the right is the Maine General 
Hospital, and the noble structure beyond it, at the base of the hill, is the new 
and magnificent Union Railroad Station, of which the citizens of Portland are justly 
proud. The streets in the unburnt western part of the city are so densely shaded, that 
the title of ' Forest City,' by which Portland is known, seems most appropriate." 




VIEW FROM WESTERN PROMENADE. 



"Come, fellows, it Is ten o'clock; time we were getting out 
of this, if we wish to see anything more," said the Parson, as 
he looked at his watch. 

From the Observatory the boys rode as far as City Hall, and 
then made their way to Commercial Street, and started on a tour 
of observation along the wharves. They passed the Post-office 
eii route, but it did not impress them sufficiently to cause them 
to look it over inside. They strolled for some distance along 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



39 



Commercial Street, and at one of the wharves saw several small 
steamers, and walking down to them found a boat just starting 
for some of the islands. 

" Suppose we take a cruise in the harbor," suggested Ned. 

" I don't believe we have time," replied Dick. 

" I will find out, for I should like very much to go, if we 
can get back in season for dinner and our train ; " and George 
stepped on board 
the steamer, and 
asked the captain 
at what hour he 
was due at the 
city on his return. 

"We reach 
here at noon," was 
the answer. 

"That will just 
suit us," returned 
George ; "come 
on, fellows." 

The boys 
jumped on board, 

and the next moment the lines were cast off, and the boat backed out 
from the wharf. The trip proved a very pleasant one, the steamer 
touching at several of the islands, and the boys saw a great deal that 
amused and interested them. At one landing they noticed a number 
of large buoys, such as are used to mark the channels and dangerous 
places in the harbor. On inquiry the party learned that part of 
the island was used as a government buoy and torpedo station. 
Peak's and Cushing's Islands were lively with summer cottagers 




IHK WHARVES, PORTLAND. 



40 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



and boarders, it being the time of harvest for the hotels. The 
boat stopped an hour at Cushing's, and the boys were enabled 
to visit the handsome Ottawa House, and take a short ramble 
about the island. 

Cushing's Island is by all means the most attractive bit • of 
land in Casco Bay, and its manifold beauties are rapidly becoming 
known to the vast concourse of summer ramblers, who each year 




turn their steps toward old ocean. 
The land is charmingly broken 
up into little vales and hills, 
and its shores are divided into 

gently sloping beaches, and precipitous walls. Its hotel is a 
fine specimen of architecture, happily located on the highest swell 
of the land at the southern end of the island, and commanding 
the most entrancing views both inland and seaward. Its summer 
cottages are not the common seaside gimcracks one sees at the 
beaches, but beautiful and expensive residences, picturesque, and 
unique in many features, the homes of people of wealth and 
refinement, who find on Cushing's, with its careful and well- 
enforced restrictions, what they cannot find elsewhere. The natural 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



4T 



beauties of the island have been improved under the direction of 
Frederick Law Ohnstead, the famous landscape gardener, until now 
this brightest gem of Casco P)ay has become a beautiful park, 
its entire arrangement being in complete harmony with its wildest 
features, and grand surroundings. One may travel far before 




THE WILLOWS, CUSHING'S ISLAND. 

finding its equal, and its accessibility to Portland, with its numerous 
rail and steamship lines, make it a most desirable resort for the 
summer tourist. The scenery of the island itself is pleasing and 
fascinating, and in many cases grand, while the views from the 
hotel piazza, Whitehead Cliff, and other points, awake the enthu- 
siasm of the beholder, who stands spellbound with admiration and 
delight. A day — a week — a month — we might with simple truth 
say a summer, can be passed here, without exhausting the charms 



42 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



of this lovely dwelling-place by the sea. When Old Orchard 
Beach shall have lapsed into obscurity, and Mount Desert become 
but a pile of costly ruins, Cushing's Island will still shine forth 
resplendent, as the fairest haven of rest and pleasure whereon 
the summer tourist has ever set his foot. 




BATHING HOUSE AND BEACH, CUSHING'S ISLAND. 

Whittier says in one of his poems that nowhere is there 
fairer or sweeter sunshine — 

" Than where hillside oaks and beeches 
Overlook the long blue reaches, 
Silver coves, and pebbled beaches, 
And green isles, of Casco Bay." 

Another writer says, — 

"One is not inclined to doubt the truth of this assertion, when on some 
bright summer's day, he sails amid the islands of the bay, — those islands which 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



43 



were the Hesperides of Longfellow's boyish dreams, — and explores the green 
depths of the myriad coves which open before him at every turn in the mtricate 
passages which his boat is threading. It is not difficult during the summer to 
visit nearly every part of the bay by means of the excursion steamers plying 
upon its waters. The most attractive of the islands, in some respects, is Cush- 
ing's, which lies just at the mouth of the harbor, between the two main entrances. 




VIEW ON CUSHING'S ISLAND. 

The land rises abruptly from the ocean side to a ridge crowned with trees, but 
descends more gradually to the beaches on the northern shore. There are many 
pleasant walks on the island; but the finest is that which leads through the 
pines to Whitehead, — the cliff which forms its eastern extremity. Here the rock 
falls prccij/itously one hundred and fifty feet to the water, which foams and 
surges amid the huge fragments of the cliff scattered along its base. To the 
east of Cushing's lies Peak's Island. Upon it there is a considerable village, 
the number of whose inhabitants is swelled many fold in the summer by visitors 



44 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



from the mainland. The island, in its main features, does not differ much from 
Cushing's, except that its shores are not so bold. Among the other of the one 
hundred and twenty-two islands with which the bay is 
studded, Long, Little Chebeague, and Diamond Islands, 
are worth visiting. The cove which makes into Great 
Diamond Island is remarkable for its rare beauty." 

As the boys stepped on board the boat 
for the run to the city, the name of the 
steamer caught Ned's eye, and he repeated 
it over two or three times, as if trying to re- 
member where he had seen or heard it before. 
"Tourist, Tourist," he muttered slowly, "Ah, 
now I have it ! I read in the paper a few 
years ago about a boat by this name being 
run into, one morning in the fog, by the 
St. John's steamer, and sank." 

" Do you suppose this 
is the one ? " queried Dick. 

" I don't know ; this 
don't look as if it had ever 
been to the bottom, but we 
can ask the fellow at the 
wheel." 

The boys went to the 
pilot-house, and George, 
stepping to the door, in- 
quired of the pilot if this 
was the boat that figured in a collision a few years ago. 
"The identical boat," replied the man. 
" Was you on her at the time ? " 




THREE VIEWS ON CUSHING'S ISLAND 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



45 



"Yes, I was. But I got off mighty sudden." 

"How did it happen?" asked the Parson. 

" It was on our first trip down in the morning, and the fog 
was so thick you could walk to the shore on it." 

" Not quite so thick as that, I guess," remarked the Parson 
with a laugh. 

" Pos'tive fact," reiterated the old barnacle at the wheel. " Why, 
you never saw a down-east fog, and they are nothing here to 
what they are down along the Provinces. I run on a steamer 




one year down in the Ray ot 
Fundy, and one morning the 
captain said we might as well 
lay at the wharf, for the fog 
was so thick the steamer couldn't force her way through it. He had 
a barn that had a leaky roof, and, as he hated to see us loafing, the 
old man thought that would be a good time to shingle it. So 
he put all the boat's crew to work on the barn. It was a large 
barn, and about seventy-five feet long. I worked just behind the 
old man, and we slapped the shingles on lively, I tell you. 
After working about an hour, without getting to the end of our 
course, I told the old man I thought something must be wrong: 
that we ought to have reached the end of the barn before ; so 



a6 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



we stopped to investigate. And upon exaniination we found, as 
true as I'm a living sinner, that we had shingled right off the 
end of the barn on to the fog for over thirty feet." 

The boys looked at each other, and then burst into a gale 
of lauofhter. 

" Oh, that's gospel truth," asserted the veracious pilot, as he 
gave the wheel a turn to starboard, to clear a small fisherman, 
and expectorated a mouthful of tobacco juice to leeward. 

"But how about your 
steamer grettinor sunk ? " 
queried Dick. 

" Oh, yes, I forgot 
about that. As I said 
before, the fog was very 
thick. We were running 
about half-speed, keeping 
a good lookout, when I 
heard a whistle so near 
that it made my hair 
stand on end. I rang 
to stop, and then to back, but before we had lost headway the 
big steamer struck us, and I out of this wheel-house and went 
overboard lively. I could swim, and I didn't stop for any life- 
preserver, you bet. The engineer followed me, and what few pas- 
sengers there were on board. The steamer lowered two boats, and 
picked us all up, and the Tourist went to the bottom." 

" I suppose it was a hard job to raise her," ventured Ned. 

" Oh, no, not much of a one. It took us about half a day." 

Just then the engineer rang to slow down, and the boys 

found on looking up that the steamer had nearly reached the 




COVK, DIAMOND ISLAND. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



47 



wharf. As they were moving away from the pilot-house, the old 
salt said, — 

" Perhaps you don't believe that fog- story I told yon ; but it 
was so thick down there that season, that in the fall, instead of 
using boughs, as he usually did, the old man had us go down 
to the shore and cut the fog up into blocks, and used it to 
bank up his house," and squirting another cascade of tobacco 
juice over the rail, the pilot rang to stop. After the boys had 
stepped out on 
the wharf, Georo-e 
turned and called 
to the pilot. 

"What's the 
rumpus?" asked 
that w^orthy. 

" I wish to tell 
you one thing be- 
fore we leave." 

"If it's too 
good for you to 
keep, tell it." 

" I believe," replied George, waving his hand in token 
farewell, " that in you we have found the champion liar ol the 
State of Maine." 

" I thought you was going to tell me something new," returned 
this modern Ananias, with a grin ; " come and see us again." 

"We will before the season is over." and the boys, hailing a 
hack, jumped in, and rode to the hotel. 

After the excursion of the morning, our young friends had a 
good appetite, and they thoroughly enjoyed the fine dinner served 




THE VERACIOUS PILOT. 



of 



48 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



at the Preble. They Hngered at the table, loath to leave, but 
George hurried them away, and, settling their bill, they took a 

hack to the Grand 
Trunk Depot, stop- 
ping on the way at 
the corner of Hancock 
and Fore Streets, which 
is but a short distance 
from the station, to ob- 
tain a look at the " old, 
square, wooden house, 
upon the edge of the 
sea," where the poet 
Longfellow was born 
in 1807. 

The dwelling next 
to the Preble House, 
on Congress Street, 
which the boys had 
also looked upon with 
veneration, known as 
the " Lo n g fe 1 1 o w 
House," was not occu- 
pied by Stephen Long- 
fellow until after his 
son Henry's birth. 

The baggage of the 
party had been sent 
from the steamboat wharf direcdy to the railroad station, and the 
boys' first move, after paying the hackman, was to find and check 








(OFFIC; 



)|^iPij\!^ff 




'^QjSSiv^v 



50 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



it for Gorham, N. H., at which place they were to make their first 
stop. 

After seeing to their baggage, they stood idly by, watching the 
people who were taking seats in the cars of the Lewiston train. Just 
as the conductor shouted, " All aboard for Lewiston ! " the boys 
noticed a man nmning from the back end of the depot. He reached 
the train just as it started, and jumped on the rear platform of the 
hind car. Two men who were following, a short distance behind, 
were not so lucky, and lost their passage. Much to the surprise of 

the boys, and their amuse- 
ment also, the man who 
had gained the car, faced 
the two who had lost the 
train, and raising his hand 
to his face, placed the end 
of his thumb on his nose, 
and twirled his fingers at 
his pursuers in a manner 
highly exasperating. 
"Stop him! stop that man! stop the train!" shouted the tallest 
of the two men in the depot, excitedly, stretching forth his hand 
in a vain attempt to reach the person guying him. 

" The train will not stop," said the depot-master, who stood near. 
"What is the trouble?" 

" I've a warrant for that man's arrest," replied the tall man, puffing 
and blowing, and looking with longing eyes at the fast disappearing 
train. 

"Who are you?" inquired the depot-master, who noticed that 
the belligerent parties were dressed in plain clothes. 
" I'm a sheriff, and I wanted that man." 




DODGING THE SHERIFF. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



SI 



"What for? Who is he?" 

" That's my business," replied the sheriff, crossly, and speaking 
a few words in a low tone to his companion, they left the 
depot. 

" ' It's a cold day ' for those fellows," remarked the depot- 
master, as he turned away laughing. 

Another train now appeared, slowly backing into the depot, 
which the boys learned was the one for Gorham, and, finding a 
Pullman car at the rear of it, they secured seats in that. 

"They don't 
trouble themselves 











THE LAUNCH. 



about leavinof on 
time," said Dick, 
who had just con- 
sulted his watch, 
and found it to 
be half-past one. 

"No matter," re- 
plied George; "we 
are not in a hurry." 

" But we might have had half an hour longer at that dinner," 
suggested the Parson, regretfully. 

" Oh, nonsense," added Ned, " you had dinner enough. You 
should leave a little room for your supper." 

" Here we go," cried Fred, as the engine gave two short 
whistles, and the train pulled out from the depot. 

The boys had taken seats on the right-hand side of the car, 
and obtained a good look at the harbor and shipping and the 
islands in the bay. A mile out from the depot the train stopped 
at the Portland and Worcester Transfer Station, and took on some 



52 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



passeno-ers. Then, after its customary two toots, the engine gave 
a warning snort, and the train dashed across a long wooden 
bridge, and pulled up in East Deering. 

While the cars were crossing the bridge, the boys were treated 
to a very pretty sight. A large vessel that had been lying on 
the stocks in a shipyard close to the railroad was just gliding 
into the water, amid the shouts and hurrahs of an admiring 
throng of spectators. She presented a fine appearance, being 
freshly painted and handsomely decorated with flags. 

A large towboat, also covered with bunting, lay off at a short 
distance, waiting to take charge of the new ocean ranger after 
she had taken a plunge into her natural element. The scene 
brought to George's mind Longfellow's poem, "The Building of 
the Ship," and, almost involuntarily, he recited a few lines, that 
were very apropos to the occasion, — 

" And see ! she stirs ! 
She starts, — she moves, — she seems to feel 
The thrill of life along her keel, 
And spurning with her foot the ground. 
With one exultant joyous bound, 
She leaps into the ocean's arms ! 
And lo ! from the assembled crowd 
There rose a shout prolonged and loud, 
That to the ocean seemed to say, — 
' Take her, O bridegroom, old and gray. 
Take her to thy protecting arms, 
With all her youth and all her charms ! ' " 

The boys stepped to the rear of the car, and, standing out on 
the platform, had just time to see the vessel glide gracefully 
into the water, when the train started. They watched the scene 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 53 

until the car swung around a curve, hiding the view from them, 
and then returned to their seats. 

" No loss, without some gain," remarked the Parson. " If the 
train had not been late, we should have missed seeing that 
launch, and a very pretty sight it was." 

" Right you are, my boy," answered Ned. " Why didn't you 
sketch it ? " 

" That reminds me, that I have not had my sketch-book out 
since we started, and I will get it now, and see if I can't catch 
some little bits from the window when the train stops at the 
stations." 

The train being late, the stops were shorter than usual, and 
the cars sped rapidly along through P^almouth, Cumberland, and 
Yarmouth, until it reached Yarmouth Junction. The country was 
all new to the boys, but, through persistent questioning, they 
obtained a eood deal of information about it. 

" That is the Maine Central Railroad," replied the porter, to 
an inquiry of Dick's about a railroad they were crossing; "it runs 
to Brunswick and Augusta and on east to Bangor. And I want 
you to understand," added the darkey, " that it is one of the best- 
managed railroads in this country." 

A few people of eccentric dress and appearance came on 
board the train here, and the porter told the boys they were 
French Canadians, who had probably been working in mills some- 
where in Maine, and who were now on their way home. 

PVom the Junction the train sped rapidly on its way, stopping 
for a moment at North Yarmouth, Pownal, and New Gloucester. 

Just after leaving the latter station, Dick noticed another rail- 
road to their left, and the porter told him that it was another 
branch of the Maine Central, running to Lewiston and Water- 



54 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

ville. There was a train on the other road, going in the same 
direction they were, and, just as Dick caught sight of it, the car 
they were in gave a jerk, and seemed to spin along faster. 

" They are racing to see who will get to the Junction first," 
remarked the porter. 

" What junction ? " asked Fred. 

"Danville Junction — it is the next station, and the Maine 
Central crosses us there." 

The boys watched the other train with interest, and noticed 
that its speed also was increasing. But their train kept the lead, 
and stopped first at the crossing. This gave it the right of way, 
and it reached the depot ahead. Quite a number of passengers 
took the train here, and the boys found amusement in watching 
them. Just as they left the station, the Maine Central train 
pulled up on the other side of the depot, and that was the last 
the boys saw of it, as beyond the tracks of the two roads widely 
diverged. From Danville the landscape improved rapidly, the 
country being more broken and more thickly wooded than nearer 
Portland. Hills and mountains began to appear in the distance, 
growing in size with each onward mile they travelled. At Lewiston 
Junction, the next stopping-place, there was a four-horse Concord 
coach in waiting, and this, the boys learned, was to convey 
passengers to Poland Springs, about three miles distant. The 
connection for Poland Springs is now made at Danville Junction, 
where the Maine Central Railroad Company, with its accustomed 
foresight and liberality toward the public, have built one of the 
finest depots in the State, outside of Portland. The porter pointed 
the hotel out to them, standing on a high hill off to the left 
of the railroad. 

At Empire Road, the next station, a little incident caused 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



55 



^^r 



them some excitement. A horse, attached to an old-fashioned 
chaise, took fright as the cars pulled up at the station, and started 
off toward the village as if Old Nick was after him. A short 
distance from the depot, the runaway team collided with a hay- 
rack, and the old chaise went into the air about ten feet, and, 
turnino- over, threw the horse down. Before any one could get 
hold of him, however, he struggled to his feet, and with only the 
shafts and one wheel, 
continued his mad 
race, and that ended 
the excitement, as 
far as the boys were 
concerned. 

The next stop 
was at Mechanics 
Falls, a flourishing 
village situated on 
both banks of the 
Little Androscoggin 
River, where are lo- 
cated several paper 
mills, and other manufactories. The Rumford Falls and Buckfield 
Railroad connects here with the Grand Trunk, and runs to Canton. 
Beyond this station the train crossed the river over a handsome 
iron bridge, and continued northward. Along the river bank the 
boys espied several fishermen, who were trying to lure the trout 
from their cool retreat, and watched them while in sight. 

At the next station, Oxford, the Parson made a pretty sketch 
while the train waited, and George improved the brief moments in 
carrying on a handkerchief flirtation with a young lady on the plat- 
form, who was evidently a summer boarder from the city. 




-^ .^p^P^^^^i?^ 



THE RUNAWAY. 



56 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

As they approached South Paris, the mountains increased in 
height, and the view on all sides was lovely. The boys had been 
fortunate in selecting the shady side of the car, and could have 
the window-shades up without being annoyed by the sun, and 
were able to see all within their vision. The train pulled up 
opposite a neat brick depot, the platform of which was filled 
with a crowd of young and old of both sexes, half of whom, 
at least, had come to see and be seen, instead of to travel. 
The boys inspected the restless crowd outside, and were much 
amused by the appearance of several of the natives, who looked 
as if they had characters peculiarly their own. 

On inquiry, the party learned that this was the shire town of 
Oxford County, and contained the court-house and jail. The 
village, one of the most flourishing in the county, lies to the 
northward of the station, and Paris Hill, so called, is about two 
miles beyond, and is thickly settled. A branch track leaves the 
main line at South Paris, extending a mile and a half to Norway, 
another smart and enterprising town. After a stop of nearly ten 
minutes here, the train moved onward again, and made a run of 
about seven miles to West Paris. From this village to the next 
station the grade of the road is very heavy, and the boys thought 
several times that the train would stop, so slowly did it move. 
But the engine, puffing and panting with all its strength, held 
steadily to its work, and finally the steepest part of the grade 
was passed, and, with increased speed, the train rushed along 
until it reached the Bryant's Pond Station. 

Here is a pretty little hamlet, nestled among the mountains. 
The party were very much taken with the pond, some two miles 
in length, on the left of the railroad, overshadowed by a per- 
pendicular bluff, Mount Christopher, several hundred feet in height. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 57 

and were almost tempted to stop here and try their luck at 
fishing. But, after a short argument, concluded to keep on to 
Gorham, 

With two short whistles the train bade farewell to Bryant's 
Pond, and skirtinor two or three other small sheets of water, each 




BRYANT'S POND, MAINE. 



attractive in itself, shortly reached Locke's Mills, where only a 
momentary halt was made. Then hurrying onward again for a 
few miles, slowed down at Bethel, where the boys caught their 
first glimpse of the Androscoggin River, one of the most charming 
and picturesque streams in New England. This station is the 
principal point of departure for the Androscoggin Lakes, over 
the most direct route. A daily stage runs from this point to the 



58 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Lakeside Hotel, Cambridge, at the foot of Lake Umbagog, con- 
necting with a daily line of steamers on the lake. The road 
passes through Grafton Notch, and is deservedly popular from 
its wild and romantic mountain scenery, appealing to the artistic 
sense of all lovers of the beautiful. 

" This is a very pretty country," remarked George, as the train 
left the Bethel station. " Could anything be more lovely than 











VIEW FROM BETHEL STATION. 



that charming meadow sweeping away on our right, with the 
silvery river meandering through it ? " 

"Hold on, George." cried the Parson, smiling; "you are 
becoming poetical." 

"Who wouldn't, with such a view as that before them? and 
look at the mountains in the distance. There is plenty of 
material for your sketch-book." 

" Yes, altogether too much ; I can't do it Justice, and I had 
rather gaze and admire, than make a caricature copy of it on paper." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



59 



From " Farrar's Androscoggin Lakes Illustrated," we quote the 
following about this locality : — 

"Again we are speeding up the Androscoggin Valley, scenes of wild grandeur 
and romantic beauty meeting the eye on every side, a short ride bringing us 
to West Bethel, a station of but 



little importance as yet, seventy- 
four miles from Portland. A 
short distance beyond here the 
train passes over Pleasant River 
Bridge, and about a mile farther 
on you obtain a fine view far 
up the valley of Mounts Jeflfer- 
son and Adams, lifting their con- 
ical summits over the shadowy 
ridges of Mount Moriah. Five 
miles from West Bethel we cross 
Wild River, over a fine bridge 
two hundred and fifty feet in 
length. 

"This river is a child of 
the mountains, at times fierce, 
impetuous, and shadowy as the 
storms that howl around the 
bald heads of its parents, and 
bearing down everything that 
conies in its path ; then again, 
when subdued by long summer wild river bridge, grand trunk railway. 

calms, murmuring gently in consonance with the breezy rustle of the trees, whose 
branches droop over it. An hour's time may swell it into a headlong torrent; an 
hour may reduce it to a brook that a child might ford without fear. 

"This vicinity is rife with legends of the Indian wars. One of the last acts 
of the aborigines, ere their strength was forever broken, was an onset on the 
defenceless village of Bethel, made by a party of the St. Francis tribe, who 
had followed down the State line from Canada. They carried away a man 
named Pettingill, another named Sager, and two by the name of Clarke. 




6o 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" Pettingill and one of the Clarkes, after proceeding a few miles, were unable, 
through lameness, to go on, and the savages finally consented to their return, 
advising them to keep to the same trail they had followed up, pretending that 
there were hostile scouts on all others. Clarke, who was well acquainted with 
the Indian character, suspected treachery in this apparent solicitude for their 
safety, and as soon as he was out of sight, struck into the woods, and, swim- 
ming the Androscoggin, passed down the opposite side with safety. During his 




TREACHERY. 



lonely tramp he heard the report of the gun which proved the death-note of 
his friend, who, taking the path designated, was followed back by the savages 
and shot dead. The mutilated body of poor Pettingill was subsequently found 
and buried on the bank of Wild River, just by the bridge. 

" Beyond the bridge the railroad is almost closed in on either hand by rude 
cliffs towering many feet heavenwards. The Androscoggin River is still to be 
seen on our right, turning and twisting through the narrow strip of intervale 
between the railroad and base of the mountains. This land, although subject 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



6l 



to overtiow by the spring freshets, is all cultivated, and yields abundant crops. 
We now reach Gilead, eighty miles from Portland, and witii but a moment's 
halt dash on. A mile or more above this station the track crosses the boundary 
between Maine and New Hampshire. Here, bidding farewell to the Pine Tree 
State, we soon find ourselves at Shelburne, a delightful summer resort, well 
patronized each year. At this point the mountains grow higher and still more 
rugged, and a short ride brings us within view of the lofty summits of Mounts 
Washington, Jefferson, and Adams, that burst upon our sight from behind a 




MEADUVv 



^Hl:.LL;Ul<.i^E, N.H. 



wooded ridge of Mount Moriah. For 
the next few miles, till we arrive 
within a short distance of the depot 
at Gorham, these mighty peaks re- 
main constantly in view. Just after 
leaving the Shelburne station, the 
cars pass near a high bluff, called 

'Moses' Ledge,' named for an early resident of the town, one Moses Ingalls, who is 
said to have once run up to the top of it. As it is almost perpendicular and nearly 
as smooth as glass, this was a feat that calls a smile to the face of the observer of 
to-day, although the story is apparently well authenticated. Near it formerly stood 
an immense granite bowlder, many thousand tons in weight, a great portion of 
which has been blown to pieces and used in the construction of the railroad, 
an act of vandalism entirely unnecessary. A fragment of this rock was secured 
by Judge Burbank, of Boston, who owns the White Mountain Stock Farm in 



62 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

Shelburne, who had it manufactured into a settee, which is yet kept upon his 
place and is of interest to all visiting the farm. Under this rock, it is said, 
an aged matron named Starbird, who supplied the place of physician to the 
section, a long time ago, found refuge, during one of the wildest storms that 
ever smote the mountains. She was on her way, on horseback, alone, to visit 
a patient, where her presence was thought to be indispensable (so the story goes), 
when night and storm overtook her ; bewildered by the pelting rain, she was 
glad to avail herself of such shelter as the rock could afford. House there was 
none for miles, and here she remained cowering all the long night, with a fearful 
chorus confusing her ear, — the rushing of the great rain through the darkness, 
the voice of the countless streams that flooded every cliff and ravine, the wail 
of the great trees on the ridges as they writhed and struggled and swayed in 
the merciless grasp of the gale, and the oft-repeated howl of the shivering 
wolf, driven from his lair by the incursions of the storm, commingled with the 
hoarse boom of the swollen river that made the very earth tremble. The lag- 
gard morning broke at last above the hills, but it brought no cheer to that 
' weary auld matron.' Many a noble forest-giant lay shattered on the acclivities 
about her ; the torrents still poured their turbid floods, and, filling the whole 
valley like a sea, the river swept onward, grinding and crashing, noisy and 
tumultuous, with its debris of trees and timber, gravel and rocks ; nor was it 
till noon, when the clouds retired to the higher peaks, the sun shone out, and 
the streams began to fall as suddenly as they had risen, that she was able to 
resume her journey. To commemorate her unpleasant experience, the bowlder 
was named Granny Starbird's, or Starbird's Rock." 

While passing through Shelburne, the boys obtained a fine 
view of Mount Winthrop, just back of the village. From the top 
of this sightly elevation, a beautiful view of the Androscoggin 
Valley may be obtained. 

On the high plateau front of Mount Winthrop is the picturesque 
summer cottage of W. K. Aston, a New- York gentleman of wealth 
and refinement, who, tempted by the many beauties of the locality, 
has made it his summer home here for several years, and has hand- 
somely and tastily combined art with nature in beautifying his 



64 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

charming estate. The view from the piazza of his palatial cottage 
is second to none in New Hampshire. 

Skirting the base of Mount Moriah, with the silvery river on 
our right, washing the foot of Old Bald Cap, our attention is 
called to another elegant cottage, built of cobble-stones picked 
from the land on which it stands. This house also is charmingly 
located, and belongs to a wealthy gentleman by the name of 
Endicott. Beyond here a curve in the road suddenly brings one in 
sight of the station, and the train stops at Gorham, ninety miles from 
Portland. At this point passengers en rotate for the White Mountains 
leave the train, and proceed by Milliken's world-renowned Concord 
coaches to the Glen House, eight miles distant, at the foot of Mount 
Washington. A fine and commodious hotel, the Alpine House, built 
by the Grand Trunk Railway Company, stands directly opposite the 
depot. It occupies the same site as the old hotel of that name, 
destroyed by fire. The new house is a great improvement over the 
old building. Gorham is pleasantly situated on the Androscoggin 
River, at the entrance of Carter Notch, commanding fine views 
of the Carter Range and the monarchs of the White Hills. There 
are many attractive places of interest, and fine drives in its vicinity. 
Mount Hayes, on the right of the railroad, is noted for furnishing 
the best views of the higher White Mountain Peaks, of any height, 
on the easterly side of the range, and its ascent from the village 
is comparatively easy. 

" This is Gorham, young gentlemen," said the porter, as the 
train stopped at the station, and the boys were quickly on their 
feet. As the porter had taken some trouble to answer their 
questions, and furnish them with desired information, George 
gave him half a dollar when they left the car, and the darky 
smiled all over his face. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



65 



As they stepped from the train a porter from the hotel met 
them, and they turned over their hand baggage to him, then 
went forward to the baggage-car. After seeing their trunks landed 
on the platform, they walked over to the hotel, booked their 
names, and secured rooms. They obtained two on the front 
side of the house, with connecting door, and Dick and George 
took possession of one, while Fred and Ned occupied the other. 




GORHAM AND MOUNT HAYES. 



After attending to their toilet, they descended to the piazza, 
where they sat down to enjoy the view. 

"This is not a bad-looking place," remarked Dick, as they 
gazed about them. 

" I like the appearance of it first rate," replied George ; " and 
if they set a good table at this hotel we will stop here three or 
four days. We ought to find something to amuse us." 

"How did you say we were going to the mountains, George?" 
inquired Ned. 



66 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" My idea was to go over to the Glen House on the stage, 
leaving our trunks, rods, and guns here, and only carry our 
valises. We would stop there over night, then go to Glen Sta- 
tion the next day, where we would take the Maine Central train, 
and ride through the Crawford Notch to Fabyan's, stopping there 
a night or two. Then to the top of Mount Washington by 
railroad ; from the Summit walk down to the Glen over the 

carriage road, then by stage back 
to this house. That was my plan ; 
if either of you can improve on it, 
I shall be glad to have you." 

"I think I can suo-orest an im- 
provement," ventured Ned. "If we 
go by stage to Glen Station, we 
shall have no time to visit the 
places of interest along the way ; 
and I think we had better hire a 
team for this part of the trip : then 
we can travel at our pleasure, and 
see all there is worth lookinor at 
along the road." 

" Your suoro-estion is a eood 
one, and we will act upon it, and now let's go in to supper." 
The party retired early that night, and the next morning, after 
breakfast, learned from the hotel clerk the easiest route to the 
summit of Mount Hayes ; then, procuring some lunch to carry 
with them, started off, intending to spend the greater part of 
the day on the excursion. 

They passed through the village, and crossed the lovely 
Androscoggin, over a wire suspension bridge, built only for pedes- 










SUSPENSION BRIDGE, GORHAM, N.H. 



.<x?C^' 



THROUGH 7HE WILDS. 67 

trians. This is a private enterprise, and the toll is five cents for 
each person. From the opposite side of the river they followed the 
carriage road a short distance, then turned to the right, and began 
the ascent of the mountain path, the road behind them continuing 
on to the Mascot Silver Mine. 

In former years, when Hitchcock kept the Alpine House, there 
was a small hotel on the top of Mount Hayes. Then many per- 
sons made the ascent of the mountain, some on foot, but more 
on horseback. But now the number who visit the summit is com- 
paratively few, and it is the more to be wondered at from the fact 
that Mount Hayes furnishes more satisfactory views than many other 
peaks of the White Mountain range. 

Upward, with joke and laughter, the boys made their way, 
and when they had accomplished a third of the distance, stopped 
to rest and look about them. From this point they had a fine 
view of the village of Gorham, and the river valley for many 
miles, environed by its mountain walls. 

As they neared the summit the path grew rougher and steeper, 
and they were not sorry when they stood on top. They had 
been two hours from the hotel, but had walked leisurely all the 
way. Although hot, it was clear, and there were but few clouds 
in the sky : they could not have had a better day than the one 
selected for the trip. They visited the ruins of the hotel first, 
and speculated somewhat over them, and then sat down to rest, 
and enjoy the sight they had toiled for. 

"That's a pretty hard climb," remarked the Parson, wiping his 
face with his handkerchief. 

" I agree with you," said Dick. " I am tired." 

"So is a wheel," put in George, dryly. 

" Oh, none of that ! " exclaimed Ned. " Save your puns until 
we get back to the hotel." 



68 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

There can be no doubt in the mind of any sensible person, 
who has ever made the ascent of Mount Hayes, that in com- 
parison with many of the other mountains, it stands head and 
shoulders above them, as affording the grandest landscape view 
of Madison, Adams, and Washington, to be obtained in the 
Granite State. That valuable handbook, " Eastman's White Moun- 
tain Guide," says : — 

" The picture from the summit cannot be sufficiently praised. The view of 
Adams and Madison, sweeping from the uplands of Randolph, will never be 
forgotten. And Mount Washington shows no such height, or grandeur, when 
seen from any other point. Mount Washington does not show its superior 
height, or look grander in form than the associated peaks, from any position 
in the valleys near Gorham and the Glen. But from Mount Hayes its super- 
eminence and majesty are caught and appreciated. That summit seems to be 
the chair set by Providence at the right distance and angle to observe and 
enjoy its majesty, its symmetry, and the proud grace with which its ' airy citadel ' 
is sustained against the sky. And by way of desert to this substantial feast of 
mountain grandeur, a most charming view of the curves of the Androscoggin 
for twenty miles, of its exquisite islands, and of the meadows which it threaas, 
is given from Mount Hayes." 

At one o'clock the boys ate their lunch, the bracing mountaiD 
air giving them a keen appetite, and they looked regretfully ai 
the empty paper bags when they threw them away. 

" I declare, I haven't had half dinner enough," m.urmured 
Dick, looking wistfully at a fragment of doughnut that the Parson 
held between his thumb and forefinger. 

"Haven't you?" said Fred; "then take this piece of doughnut, 
I should hate to see you starve." 

Dick reached for the doughnut, but just as his fingers were 
about to grasp it, Fred threw it into his mouth, exclaiming as 
he tucked it away under his left cheek, — 

" Now you see it, and now you don't," and he gave Dick a 
comical wink, as he swallowed the last morsel. 



70 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" That was a mean trick, Parson," declared Dick, " and I owe 
you one." 

" Well, I am safe, then, for you was never known to pay 
anything- you owe." 

The others laughed at this sally, and then the boys strolled 
all over the top of the mountain, stopping here and there to 
obtain views in different directions, and in a couple of hours 
found themselves once more at the ruins of the hotel. They sat 
down on one of the fallen timbers to rest before commencing- the 
descent. 

"What a pretty place this is!" said George. "I wonder that 
some one does not erect another hotel. I should think a car- 
riage road might be built up here with less trouble and expense 
than up Mount Washington, and one could obtain a nice view 
from here a great many days when they could see nothing from 
the summits of the higher mountains." 

" That is so," assented Ned ; " and perhaps the next time we 
come up this way, there will be one. But suppose we start 
down now : I begin to feel hungry again." 

" Hungry ! " cried Dick, as they arose to their feet, and 
moved toward the path, " I feel wolfish ! " 

They stopped several times on their way down, to admire the 
lights and shadows on the towering peaks beyond them, thrown 
by the declining sun, and reached the hotel about six o'clock. 
Here they established themselves on the piazza until teatime, glad 
to rest a few moments. As they went in to supper, they noticed 
a bill hanging on the clerk's desk, which proved to be the pro- 
gramme of a dramatic show. They were too hungry to give it 
more than a casual glance, but. when they came out from the 
dining-room, they examined it with greater care. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



71 



CHAPTER III. 



A COUNTRY SHOW. SIDE TRIP TO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. SIGHT 

SEEING. BACK TO GORHAM. AN AMATEUR DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE. 

THE MASCOT MINE. BERLIN FALLS. PLEASANT ACQUAINTANCES. 

THE MORMON ELDER. THE PICNIC DINNER. 

O you suppose it will be 
much of a show ? " queried 
the Parson, as they gath- 
ered in front of the play- 
bill after supper and atten- 
tively scanned it. 

" Give it up. Give me an 
easier one," answered George. 
" Let's go," said Ned. " I 
approve of taking in all the 
shows we come across, for 
after we get into the woods 
we shall not see any." 

*' I'm with you," assented 
Dick. " Where is it? Oh, 
I see, Gorham House Hall. 
That must be over to the other 
hotel. What are the tickets ? 
Reserved seats, thirty-five cents, 
what we want, fellows." 
" Yes, we'll all have ' preserved seats,' " remarked George with a 
smile, ** so let us fix up a little, and go over." 




72 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" I don't need any fixing," said Dick, looking- himself over. 
"You don't!" returned George. " Your hair needs combing, you 
young monkey ; it looks like a hurrah's nest. If I had noticed your 
head when we went in to supper, I would not have occupied 
the same table with you." 

"How particular the 'Star' is getting, fellows!" said Dick with 
a laugh, as they went to their rooms. 

They had no trouble in finding the hall and obtaining good 
seats, but the show was not very satisfactory. To boys who had 

seen the best productions 
of the Boston theatres, the 
performance appeared thin. 
They obtained their money's 
worth of fun, however. For, 
just before the last piece 
was finished, the scenery 
accidentally caught fire, and 
fell over on the performers, 
burying some of them in 
the wreck, and the prompter, seeing a chance to do a little acting, 
rushed on the stage with a pail of water, and gave the unfortunate 
actors who were struggling under the curtain a good washing down. 
The fire was speedily extinguished, doing but slight damage ; but 
that ended the show, and the boys returned to their hotel and 
went to bed. 

The next morning when they came down to breakfast, they 
were surprised to find it raining. It continued with but slight 
intermission all that day and the next, a most unusual occurrence 
for that time of the year. When they arose Saturday morning, 
however, the sun was shining brightly, and the storm was over. 




THE PROMPTER DOES A LITTLE ACTING. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



73 



While eating- breakfast they discussed the best way to pass the 
day, and finally concluded to make an excursion to an abandoned 
lead mine in Shelburne, some two miles from the covered bridge. 
They learned that the entire distance was six miles, and that they 
could obtain some fine views of the mountains from the vicinity 
of the bridge, and 
concluded to take the 
day for it, and carry 
their dinner. After 
obtaining the lunch, 
neatl)' packed in two 
small baskets, they 
started off, crossinor 
the river by the pub- 
lic bridge, at the 
lower end of the 
town, for the road 
they were to travel 
was on the eastern 
side of the river. 
They walked slowly, 
frequently stopping to 
admire the beauties of 
the landscape, and it 
was hall -past ten when 

they reached the bridge. They enjoyed the mountains from 
this point for a few moments, and then continued their wa\-. A 
mile below, they reached a small graveyard, and turning to the left, 
crossed a pasture, went tii rough a gate, and then followed a pleasant 
woodland road for a mile or so. On their way they passed a rocky 




"I 

LEAD-MINE BRIDGE. 



74 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



flume in the mountains, that they were highly pleased with, and the 
Parson, who had brought along his sketch-book, made several 
sketches in the locality. It was half-past twelve when they reached 

the lead mine, and they 
were all tired and hungry. 
" I guess this place 
will keep until after we 
eat," remarked Ned, seat- 
ing himself amid the ruins 
of the boiler house ; "I 
never was so hungry in 
my life." 

" Or I either," added 
the Parson, " and it is six 
confounded long miles 
here." 

" They are country 
miles," laughed George. 

" Stop talking, fellows," 
cried Dick, " and open up 
the grub. That interests 
me more than distances 
and scenery just now." 

When their hunofer was 
appeased, they strolled 
about and examined the 
ruins of the buildings, 
threw large stones into the perpendicular shaft, which was three hun- 
dred feet deep, and full of water, and listened to the rocks as 
they struck first one side and then the other in their descent. 




THROUGH THE WILDS. 



75 



They examined and went to tho end of a horizontal shaft, higher 
up the ravine, and after coming out obtained several specimens of 
the ore that contained both lead and silver. 

" If they ever try to work this mine again, it will be a job 
to pump the water out," said 
Dick. 

" Yes, it would," replied 
George. " But I doubt if 
this mine is ever worked 
again. I don't believe there 
is five dollars' worth of lead or 
silver in a ton of this rock." 

" Come, fellows, let's be 
going. It's two o'clock now," 
urofed the Parson, " and I wish 
to make a sketch of Wash- 
inofton and Madison from the 
bridge, and the bridge itself 
if I have time." 

** I'm ready," said Ned, 
" but I'm glad we came here, 
for it is a very pretty place. 
That flume was well worth 
looking at also." % \^^- 

It was a very hot day ; none of the party felt disposed to hurry, 
and it was half-past three when they arrived at the bridge. While 
the Parson was making his sketch of the mountains, his friends 
crossed the bridge to look at a row-boat on the opposite bank of 
the Androscoggin. As they did not come back, P^red also crossed 
the river, and made a sketch of the bridge from that side. Just as 




/b THROUGH THE WILDS. 

he finished, his companions joined him, and George told him they 
had been talkino; the matter over during- his absence, and had con- 
eluded to return on the west side of the river, as it would give them 
some different views. This suited the Parson exactly. They enjoyed 
the walk back very much, and when they reached the hotel were 
all of the opinion that they had never passed a pleasanter day. 

Of the excursion to the Lead-Mine Bridge, Eastman's "White 
Mountain Guide " says : — 

"The name is derived from an abandoned lead mine about six miles below 
Gorham, on the eastern bank of the Androscoggin, in Shelburne. The bridge is 
about four miles from the hotels, and can be easily reached by team in three- 
quarters of an hour. The proper time to visit it is in the latter part of a 
summer afternoon, when the golden light is on the meadows, and the long shadows 
are falling athwart the mountains. There is no spot in the whole mountain region 
where the beauty of the river is joined so charmingly to the majesty of the hills. 
No river view can be more fascinating than that of the noble Androscoggin breaking 
around emerald islands with clean sandy shores, sweeping around the base of a 
lofty cliff, and joining its parted currents again into one strong tide just above 
the bridge where one stands. And then a few miles distant, enthroned over 
the narrow valley, as though the stream flowed directly from their base, rises the 
heavy dome of Mount Washington, in company with the clear-cut, exquisite pyramid 
of Madison, with the crest of Adams rising directly behind it. 

" The height of the noblest mountains is never appreciated by going close to 
their base, if they are foreshortened by ridges intervening between the eye and 
the supreme summits. The Lead-Mine Bridge is just far enough away from 
the White Hills to allow their height to make its true impression. And whoever 
sees Mount Madison thus, in a clear afternoon, will recall the impression it makes, 
as perhaps the loveliest picture which the White Mountain journey leaves in the 
memory." 

The next day being Sunday, the boys went to church in the 
forenoon, and passed the afternoon and evening quietly at the 
hotel. Monday, after the arrival of the morning train from Port- 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



77 



land, they left Gorham for the Glen House. Having obtained 
outside seats, they enjoyed the beautiful ride up the Peabody 
Valley, with better appreciation for its beauties than many older 
people might have 
had. The stage - 
driver called their 
attention to the 
" Imp," and other 
objects of interest 
along the way, 
stopped while they 
viewed Garnet 
Pool, and regaled 
them with stories 
of incidents that 
had happened in 
the mountains, in 
which nine grains 
of lie and one of 
truth were un- 
blu shingly min- 
gled. Reaching 
the hotel they ob- 
tained rooms, ate 
their dinner, and 
then strolled out 
for a walk, visiting Thompson's Falls and the Emerald Pool before 
they returned to the house. After supper they sat on the piazza 
until twilight deepened into darkness, admiring the grand summits 
of the Presidential Range, and watching the shadowy clouds that 




WASHINGTON AND MADISON FROM LEAD-MINE BRIDGE. 



78 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

occasionally flitted across them. Before retiring for the night they 
engaged a driver and team to take them to Glen Station, and 
George intimated to Mr. Milliken that a good story-teller would 
prove acceptable. 

The next morning, much to the satisfaction of the party, was 
pleasant, and after breakfast, the boys, full of enthusiasm, hurriedly 




prepared for their trip, and when they reached the piazza, found 
a light mountain wagon and a pair of horses under the command 
of a venerable Jehu, who looked as if he had done nothing but 
drive stages and tell stories all his life. The young fellows 
clambered up to their seats, bade Mr. Milliken "good-by," who in 
turn wished them " good luck," and amid the cheers of a few 
" early birds " who were promenading the piazza, rode away. 

The boys gave a parting glance at the hotel as the horses 




EMERALD POOL, NEAR GLEN HOUSE. 



8o 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



plunged into the deep forest, and then turned their attention to 
the scenery along the route. They caught pretty glimpses of the 
Peabody River, which they followed for two or three miles, and 
obtained from time to time pleasing views of Mount Washington, 
Carter Mountain, Wild Cat, and others that form the almost 
perpendicular walls of Pinkham Notch. 

The driver did his part to make the ride entertaining for 
them ; for, no matter what either of the party spoke of along the 
road, he was always ready with a story in connection with it. 

When they reached 

the path leading to 

the Crystal Cascade, 

a beautiful stream 

of water, that comes 

tumbling down from 

Tuckerman's Ravine, 

a deep gash in the 

side of W^ashington, 

the driver pulled up 

his horses. 

" Now, boys, there is the path to the Crystal Cascade, and 

Fll stop here and have a smoke while you look at it. Take all 

the time you want, for we have plenty to spare," and the driver 

pulled out his pipe and began loading it. 

" There is no danger of our getting off the path, I suppose," 
remarked George, with an inquiring look. 

" Not a bit. You couldn't lose it if you tried." 
" Come on then, fellows," cried George, as he led the way. 
The distance was about a third of a mile, and they walked 
slowly, reaching the fall in fifteen minutes. They were charmed 




ON THE ROAD TO GLEN HOUSE. 




THOMPSON'S iALLs, NEAR GLEN HOUSE, WHITE MOUNTAIN^. 



82 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



with the beauty of the place, and viewed the cascade from every 
point of vantage ; before they left, a large party of ladies and 
gentlemen joined them, and the boys entered into conversation 
with them, and it was nearly two hours before they returned to 
their team. 

" Did you think we were lost?" inquired the Parson, who had made 
several pretty sketches at the cascade, which he showed to the driver. 







GLEN HOUSE, WHITE MOUNTAINS, N. H. 



" No ; I didn't expect you back for an hour or two. Those 
pictures are nice ; you handle your pencil pretty well. Did the 
flies bother you any ? " 

" We saw a few," put in Ned, with a laugh. 

Another ride of a mile or more, and they stopped to visit 
Glen Ellis Fall, thought by many to be the handsomest piece of 
water scenery in the mountain region. They had quite a difficult 
climb down to the foot of the fall, but they felt well repaid 




CRYSTAL CASCADE, NEAR GLEN HOUSE, WHITK MOUNTAINS. 



84 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



when they beheld its beauties. The Parson again brought forth 
his sketch-book, and worked for an hour, when George hurried 
him away to the wagon. 

Beyond here they passed down Spruce Hill, which the boys 
thought almost interminable, and soon after reached the lower 
end of the Notch, the valley widening as they approached Jackson. 
They did not stop here, but continued on through the village, 
and a few moments before two arrived at Glen Station, in the 
town of Bartlett, delighted with their ride, but as hungry as 

tramps ; and be- 
fore the train came 
they procured din- 
ner, inviting the 
driver to dine with 
them, as they had 
found him a very 
pleasant compan- 
ion. They pro- 
cured seats in the 
observation car, 
and thus had a chance to see all that is possible from a railroad train, 
while speeding through the grand and rugged Notch of the White 
Mountains. From Glen Station to Fabyan's they watched the 
mountains with ever-increasing wonder and delight ; the scenery 
possessing a fascination for them that held them spellbound, and 
they admired in respectful silence. The innumerable falls and 
cascades, the Frankenstein Cliffs and Trestle, the Willey House 
far below them. Mount Webster, Mount Willard, the three great 
peaks across the valley, the Giant's Stairs, and the Gate of the 
Notch, were all examined in turn with absorbing interest. As the 




LOOKING UP THE NOTCH 




GLEN LLLIS TALL, GLEN ROAD, WHITE MOUNTAINS. 



86 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



party stepped off the train at Fabyan's, George declared that 
the ride was worth half one's lifetime. 

The boys stopped over night at the Fabyan House, and the 
next morning made the ascent of Mount Washington by rail. It 
was a bright, pleasant morning, and they enjoyed the trip very 
much, although Dick said he felt all the time as if he was sliding 
down hill instead of going up. As they reached " Jacob's Ladder," 
a cloud passed across the mountain, and for a few moments they 
were in a fog. The " Gulf of Mexico," in which the Peabody 

River takes its rise, 
impressed them 
with its wildness 
and depth ; and 
Lizzie Bourne's 
Monument awak- 
ened their curios- 
ity, and from an 
accommodating 
passenger they 
learned the sad 
story connected 
with it. The ascent occupied an hour and a quarter, and during 
that time the boys saw more mountains than they had ever before 
seen during their lives, and were treated to a succession of such 
wild and startling views as they had never dreamed of. 

After dinner, the weather being favorable, George procured 
a guide, and the part)- visited Tuckerman's Ravine, and were highly 
enthusiastic over the rocky walls of that grand amphitheatre, and 
the unusual sight of the snow arch. The scramble into the ravine 
had just enough of hardship and danger about it to furnish a pleas- 




VIEW EAST FROM CRAWFORD HOUSE. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



87 



urable excitement, and on their way back they were caught in 
a snow squall, which greatly added to the romance of their trip. 
The squall was over before they reached the hotel, and they were 
fortunate enough to have a charming sunset, with scarcely a cloud 
in the sky, something that very seldom happens. 

Twenty odd years ago the writer, accompanied by his brother, 
visited the Summit with the avowed determination to see the sun 




THE GATES OF THE NOTCH, 



rise and set from the highest point of land in New England. For 
three days and nights we stuck to our post, and then from short- 
ness of funds were compelled to descend (board at six dollars per 
day counting up rapidly), without scarce!) having seen the sun 
while on the summit; rain, hail, and snow, clouds and fog, being 
th(? reward we received for our toil and trouble. So damp was the 
air that the fires would scarcelv burn, and at one time we beo-an 
to think we should have to descend to keep from freezing to death. 



88 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Baked beans, dyspeptic biscuit, and roily coffee were the principal 
articles of the bill of fare, and scarce at that, for there were an 

unusual number of people on the mountain 
at that time. One evening we stepped out 
of the Summit to visit the 
Tip-Top House, and a gale of 
wind, with a roar like an 
angry lion, met us in the 
face, completely prostrating 
us Twice we tried to rise 
and make head- 
way against it, 
and finally were 
compelled to 
crawl on our 
hands and 
knees, and in 
that undignified 
position reached 
the other build- 
ing. Our room 
was in the north- 
west corner ol 
the Sum m i t 
House, and 
^' when we retired 

at nieht, the bed was like a cake of ice, and the mat in front, 
standing upon it even in your stocking feet, seemed made of 
the same material. Throughout the night we lay and shivered, 
obtaining scarcely any sleep, the bedclothes and everything else 







THROUGH THE WILDS. 



89 



seemingly chilled with dampness. Outside, the wind howled and 
moaned, the huoe chains and iron rods that secured the buildino- 
to the solid rock, rattled and creaked, and the building itself 
shook and groaned, as if each minute it would go to pieces. 
Once in the night I awoke bewildered, forgetting for a moment 
where I was, and thinkingr, from the howlino- of the wind and the 
infernal din, which was almost deafening, that I was on a ship in 




HARD TRAVELLING. 



a storm at sea. A punch in the ribs from my brother's elbow, and 
a drowsy growl as to whether I wanted all the clothes, dispelled the 
illusion. I have been on the mountain four times since, and experi- 
enced better luck in weather and accommodations, and since the 
building of the new hotel, with its steam heat and other improve- 
ments, it is possible for one to be quite conifortable at night even 
on the summit of Mount Washington. 

The boys arose at four o'clock the next morning, and were again 
fortunate, obtaining a splendid sunrise view. After breakfast they 



90 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 











■■^.^ 



visited the signal station, and listened to some thrilling experience 
told by one of the men in charge. The day continuing fine, they 
concluded to walk down the mountain by the carriage road, and 
after dinner started, having first arranged with one of Milliken's 
drivers to send their baggage down by team. They were four hours 
in their descent, including a half-hour's rest at the Half-Way 
House, loitering along, and getting views from all the best points 

of observation, and reached the 
Glen House, after visiting Em- 
erald Pool and Thompson's Falls 
for the artist to make sketches, 
about seven o'clock. 

In the eveninof, while sittino- 
on the piazza, and talking over 
their future movements, they 
concluded to walk back to Gor- 
ham, it being only eight miles, 
and visit the Copp farmhouse 
on the way, from which the best 
view of the " Imp " is obtained. 
Accordingly the next morning 
they settled their bill, and made 
arrangements for their baggage to go over on the stage, and 
about eight o'clock bade farewell to the Glen. 

They walked along slowly, enjoying the landscape before them, 
and when a mile distant from the hotel reached the path leading 
to Garnet Pool ; and turninof to the left, a few rods' walk 
through the forest, brought them to this picturesque spot on the 
Peabody. They paused half an hour here examining the work of 
the water on the rocky bed of the river, and then continued their 




'-h. 






y^^ '} 



THE LEDGE, MOUNT WASHINGTON. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



91 



walk. Two miles more brought them to the road crossing the 
Peabody River. They turned off here, went over the bridge, and 
having reached the farm, inquired of a native the best spot from 
which to view the " Imp," and then walked to the place and gazed 
at his Satanic Majesty's rocky counterpart to their hearts' content. 

Retracing their steps across the bridge, the boys resumed 
their slow but pleasant march toward Gorham, and reached the 
Alpine House just before one o'clock, having had a delightful 
walk. Dinner was the first 
thing in order, and the after- 
noon was occupied in writing 
letters, as they had not com- 
municated with their friends 
since leaving home. 

Saturday proved pleasant 
and hot, and durino- the fore- 
noon the boys paid a visit to 
the Mascot Silver Mine (now 
abandoned), located high up 
on the side of a mountain 
opposite the village on the 
east side of the river. A letter from Mr. Milliken proved 
a passport to the entrance of the mine ; arrived at the place, 
the boys climbed the long, steep flight of steps, leading to the 
top of the dump, coming out on a platform which exposed 
a long tunnel, leading into the heart of the mountain. They 
were accompanied by the superintendent, who took them from 
one gallery to another, and explained the working of the busi- 
ness, giving them many interesting details about its discovery 
and start, the amount of ore beino- taken out, and its value. 







HALF-WAY HOUSE, MOUNT WASHINGTON. 



92 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



When they left they were presented with several specimens of 
the ore, just as it came from the mine, containing silver, cop- 
per, and lead in small quantities. The superintendent, who 
found eager and appreciative listeners in his young visitors, 
invited them to take dinner with him, which invitation they 
accepted, and after a thorough inspection of the mine, accom- 
panied him to the large and comfortable boarding-house built by 
the company at great expense, pleasantly located on the shores 
of a little pond. After dinner they ascended the mountain 

above the mine, and ob- 
tained a fine view up the 
Androscoggin Valley. The 
superintendent went with 
them, and showed them 
where he was about to 
sink a perpendicular shaft, 
to meet those that were 
run in horizontally from 
below. 

When they returned to the Alpine, the clerk told them there 
was to be an amateur dramatic performance at the Gorham 
House Hall that evening, and asked them if they did not wish 
to go, informing them that he had some tickets for sale. The 
boys could think of no pleasanter way of passing the evening, 
so invested in tickets, and after supper went to the show. The 
hall was crowded, and George, who was supposed at home to 
be an authority on such matters, declared it a fine performance 
for a country village. One incident during the last piece 
created a great deal of laughter, and was not down on the bills. 
One of the actors in the farce took a gridiron and piece of 




NOT DOWN ON THE BILLS." 



94 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



meat from the fireplace, and lifting the window in the flat, 
threw out the meat. This was a part of the legitimate business. 
But it happened that one of the young ladies who took part 
in the performance was peeping at the audience from behind 
the window, and when the actor threw out the meat, she had 
no time to run, and received it square in the face. This was 
the illegitimate part of the business, and as the audience saw it 
all, it is needless to say it " brought down the house." 




ALPINE CASCADE, BERLIN FALLS, N. H 

Sunday morning the boys attended church, and after dinner 
started out for a walk. They had not gone over a quarter of 
a mile when they heard the distant rumble of thunder, and 
concluding that they stood a good chance of getting wet if they 
continued on, returned to the hotel and stopped the rest of the 
day. Having made up their minds to leave Gorham the next 
morning, they packed their trunks that night. 

The boys hired a team from the hotel clerk to carry them 
to Berlin, it being a lovely drive up the west side of the 



THROUGH THE WILDS, 



95 



Androscoggin River, and sent their trunks up on the train. The 
distance is only six miles, but the views the entire distance are 
charming. At Berlin they stopped at the Cascade House, and 
after dinner walked down the river about two miles, then crossed 
to the east side, and visited the Alpine Cascades. On the way 
back they stopped at Berlin Falls, and passed nearly two hours 
in viewing from different points this magnificent cataract. 




BERLIN FALLS, ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER, N. H. 



The Parson succeeded in getting a tolerably fair sketch of that 
part of the fall spanned by the bridge, which we reproduce. It 
was seven o'clock when the 1ioys reached the hotel, tired and 
hungry ; but a good supper, and pleasant chat in the evening 
with some of the other boarders, sent them to bed In a 
contented frame of mind. 

After breakfast the next morning they walked up the river 
two or three miles, and crossing to the opposite bank, obtained 



96 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

the finest view of the three highest White Mountain peaks to 
be had in this locahty. The day was hot, and they loitered 
along, and it was noon when they reached the house. About two 
o'clock, accompanied by Mr. Marston, the landlord of the hotel, 
they drove off several miles to a brook where in three hours' 
fishing, they obtained a fine string of trout, which they had crisply 
fried for their supper. 

Wednesday forenoon they inspected the mills of the lumber 
company, and were surprised at the amount of business done, 
and the speed with which it was accomplished. A log would be 
drawn dripping from the river, secured on a movable carriage, run 
on a track to a gang of saws, and " Presto ! change ! " out it went 
at the other end of the mill in the shape of inch boards. The 
mills contained saws of all sizes and kinds ; and lumber of all 
dimensions is sawn here, also plank, boards, shingles, fence-pickets, 
clapboards, laths, and other articles. A branch track from the 
Grand Trunk Railway connects the mills with the wharves in 
Portland, from where it is shipped to all parts of the world, and 
twenty cars a day are loaded at the mills, and trundled from the 
forest to the ocean. A planing-mill filled with the requisite 
machinery for finishing lumber, and a drying-house, are adjuncts 
of the sawmills. The Berlin Mills Company, who own and run 
the mills, have also large boarding-houses for their army of 
workmen, and a store where everything from a jews'-harp to a grand 
piano, and a codfish to a silk dress, is sold. A schoolhouse, hall, 
and public library have been built by them, and they have been 
generous contributors to the handsome gothic church standing 
on the main street of the village. 

In the afternoon they visited a cave Mr. Marston had told 
them of the day before. It was about a mile and a half from the 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



97 



house, and was called Jasper Cave. The walk led them across 
some rough ground, and in a north-westerly direction from the 
hotel, When they reached the cliff where the cave was located, 
they were in plain sight of the railroad, and but a short distance 
from it. The boys found the entrance to the cave so small that 
they had to crawl into it, and dropping on their hands and knees, 




AXDkUSCUGGIX RIVER, NEAR BERLIN, N. H. 



squirmed along through the narrow passage, not without some 
misgivings in George's mind, who was ahead, that they might light 
on a bear, or some other wild animal. But the cavern, as silent 
as a grave, was empty, with the exception of two or three small 
bats, flying about overhead. Ned struck a match, and lighting a 
birch-bark torch they had brought with them, they found them- 
selves in an apartment about twelve by sixteen feet in size, and 



98 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

perhaps ten feet high. The walls were damp, and in some 
places thin streams of water leaked from the rough walls, and 
filtered down to the bottom. They succeeded in finding two or 
three fine specimens of jasper, for which stone the cave is noted, 
and after an hour's exploration in the vicinity, walked down the 
railroad track to the depot, and then returned to the hotel. 

That evening while sitting on the piazza they overheard Mr. 
Marston talking with two young ladies, who had arrived from 
Philadelphia the day before, about making the ascent of Mount 
Forest, and George intimated that if the young ladies were 
willing, the boys would like to join the party. 

The girls expressed themselves as delighted with the idea, and 
accordingly the next morning, which proved to be all that could 
be desired, the whole party, with the landlord for guide, started 
for the summit. The distance from the hotel to the top of the 
mountain was about two miles, the latter part of the path being 
very steep, and they accomplished it in an hour and a half, 
having to stop quite often to give their fair companions a chance 
to rest. Once on the summit, they felt amply repaid for their 
climb, the view comprising an extended panorama of wilderness 
and mountains, and they could trace the Androscoggin River, 
through all its sinuosities for sixteen miles, a flashing diamond in 
an emerald setting. Here and there a small village straggled 
along the river banks for a short distance, suggestive of partial 
civilization. Two hours on the mountain top, with such a land- 
scape spread out before them, and the fair maidens from the 
Quaker City for companions, became a part of the past with 
marvellous rapidity ; and it was eleven o'clock before they had any 
idea of the flight of time, and reluctantly they left the mossy 
carpet on which for the last hour they had been reclining, and 



THROUGH THE WJLDS. 99 

wended dieir way down the mountain to the hotel and to dinner. 
A shower of several hours duration came up while they were 
eating, and the afternoon was passed pleasantly in the house, 
with conversation and music. 

When the boys came out of the dining-- room after supper, 
Mr. Marston told them that a Mormon elder was to lecture that 
evening at the lower village, and that if they wanted to see 
some fun they had better go. The boys required no urging, for 
they scented sport, and accompanied by the landlord, they visited 
the hall, which was half filled on their arrival, and crowded fifteen 
minutes afterward. At the farther end of the hall was a small 
stage, with rather primitive-looking scenery. The curtain was up. 
and in the centre of the stage stood a small table. About half- 
past seven the elder made his appearance, and began a harangue 
in which the beauties of polygamy bore an important part. The 
crowd listened curiously at first, and then, becoming astonished 
and disgusted at some of the ideas conveyed, and opinions put 
forth, began to look at each other in a manner that prophesied 
mischief. 

About this time the boys who sat midway of the hall on the 
right-hand side, saw a young woman, at the edge of the wings. 
on the left of the stage, watching the speaker anxiously, while in 
the next entrance toward the footliofhts stood two orentlemen, one 
of whom was laughing, and the other, an angry scowl upon his 
face, was beckoning the elder to leave the stage. It would have 
been well for him, had he done so, for the next moment some of 
the mill-men, who were always ready for a row. and who had left 
the hall a few moments before, returned with a basket containing 
eggs, cabbages, and other similar ammunition, and opened such a 
fusillade on the unfortunate elder, as soon compelled him to stop 



lOO 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



speaking and leave the stage. A cabbage struck him in the 
stomach, doubhng him up Hke a jack-knife, and then rolled to 
the floor behind him. As he straightened up, an ^^<g took him 
fair on the end of the nose, and broke with a splash, to the no 
small delight of the younger members of the audience. Several 
fellows who had been sitting on the front seats, rushed to the 
edge of the platform, and shouted opprobrious epithets, until the 
scared Mormon thought his time on earth had come, and he 
rushed off from the stage, while the curtain rolled down with a bang. 

This ended the show, and 
the boys, who had laughed 
until tears stood in their 
eyes, left the hall and re- 
turned to the hotel. They 
learned the next day that 
the mill-men had threat- 
ened to ride the elder out 
of town on a rail, and 
then treat him to a coat 
of tar and feathers ; but through the persuasion of one of their 
employers, who learned their intention, they concluded to forego 
their threats if the Mormon left town in an hour, and under 
cover of the darkness, the elder and his wife stole away, and 
Berlin saw them no more. 

The boys had intended leaving Berlin on Friday, but they had 
found such agreeable company in the young ladies, that they 
changed their plans, and announced their intention of stopping 
over Sunday, much to the satisfaction of the girls; on Friday, there- 
fore, instead of leaving on the train, they brought out their fishing- 
tackle, and went off to storm the brooks in the interest of their 




THE WRONG KIND QV APPLAUSE. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. lOl 

fair acquaintances, and returned at night with over a hundred 
handsome brook trout, some of which were served at supper. 
These were the first trout of the season for the girls, who praised 
them and their skilful captors in highly extravagant terms. After 
supper they indulged in lawn tennis until dark, and then went into 
the parlor, and finished the evening with music. Dick and George 
were nice singers, and with Miss Van Wyck and Miss Arden, who 
also had well-cultivated voices, they made a fine quartette, and in 
chorus were assisted by the Parson and Ned, who had very good 
voices, but who had not paid much attention to the study of music. 
After they had been singing an hour, Mr. Marston came in and 
asked them if they would not sing at church on Sunday. 

The girls told him they would not dare, but he persuaded 
them to try it, as Dick and George had agreed to favor him. 

" I suppose we must, then," said Miss Arden, smiling at the 
boys, " and I think if we are to sing, we should select a quar- 
tette. I have one with me that would be just the thing, and 
my friend Lucie sings the solo just lovely," and she ran up-stairs 
for the piece. 

It proved to be Wondell's "Jesus, Lover of my Soul," the 
finest music ever written for those words, and Dick and Georo^e 
smiled as they saw it, for they were both familiar with it. 

"This is a solo and quartette," said Miss Arden, "and Lucie 
can sing the first verse, and Mr. Burton the second in the solos, 
and we will all sing the quartette. Let us try it." 

Fred and Ned refused to sing in the chorus, declaring they 
would only spoil it, and listened while the other four sang. As 
they finished the first verse, the landlord, Fred, and Ned 
applauded heartily, and the Parson declared the)- would take the 
natives by storm. After singing the second verse, the little party 
broke up, and retired to rest. 



I02 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



The next morning, after breakfast, George and Dick proposed 
to their two companions that they should hire Mr. Marston's 
mountain wagon and a pair of horses, and invite the girls to join 
them in a ride to Gorham, or the Lead-Mine Bridee, and take 
dinner at the Alpine House, returning in the afternoon. 

" That is all very well 
for you and Dick," replied 
Ned, with a comical look at 
George ; "but what can the 
Parson and I do," winking 
at Fred as he spoke, " who 
don't have a ghost of a 
chance with either of those 
young ladies when you two 
gallants are about ? " 

" Oh," said George 
with a blush, " you can 
go for the ride and the 
scenery." 

" And to help pay 
the bills, I suppose," with 
another wink at the Par- 
son. 
" Hang the bill," returned George ; "I will pay it all myself, 
only say you will go." 

" Oh, George, George ! that it should come to this before we 
have been away from home two weeks ! " replied Ned, shaking his 
finger solemnly at his friend, "you are done for — hooked, played, 
and landed — as surely as I'm a living sinner " — and with his 
handkerchief he pretended to wipe tears from his eyes. 




CHAFFING! 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 103 

" Oh, confound your chaffing," put in Dick ; " will you go, 
or not ? " 

" Yes, I will, my young bantam, but you are worse off than 
George. You, with no mamma to look after you, and scarcely out 
of short clothes." 

" Don't plague them any more, Ned. You never know when 
to stop. I shall be very glad to go, George ; but instead of 
dining at the hotel, suppose we take some grub and dishes 
along, and have a picnic dinner on the bank of the river." 

" Happy thought ! " exclaimed Dick, as he rushed off to find 
the landlord, while George went to invite the young ladies to go 
on the excursion. 

In an hour all was ready. The team was at the door, in 
which a hamper containing a table-cloth, napkins, and sundry solids 
and dainties, was carefully packed. The girls were helped to their 
seats, the boys jumped in, and the spirited horses, under the 
skilful pilotage of the landlord, were trotting down the river-road. 
The day passed away like hundreds of others under similar 
circumstances. The young folks chatted, laughed, and were silent 
by turns, the gaps being filled with interesting stories by the 
driver. Every minute was enjoyed, every hour was a feast of 
pleasure. Ah, youth is the golden age with all of us. What 
a pity it could not be perpetual ! The scenery was duly 
admired and praised ; the dinner in the shade of a mighty elm 
whose trunk had stood the warlike shocks of many a northern 
blast, and from under whose wide-spreading branches they could 
gaze on the silvery river, its rippling waters murmuring a 
soft lullaby in their ears, all that could be desired ; and the ride 
home, facing the glories of the setting sun, with the golden 
lights and purple shades alternately caressing the sides of the 



I04 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



mountains, was a blissful experience, long to be remembered. 
When the young ladies had been helped from the carriage, and 
stood once more upon the piazza of the hotel, they conveyed 
their thanks in a charming manner to the young gentlemen for 
the day's pleasure, and declared it had been one of the happiest 




ON THE ANDROSCOGGIN, NEAR GORHAM, N.H. 

in their lives. What more could the boys ask for ? After supper 
they adjourned to the parlor for music, and the quartette had 
another rehearsal. 

Sunday morning they repaired early to the place where the 
meeting was to be held, that they might have a chance to 
practise a little with the young lady organist. It had been noised 
about that some young people from the cities were to sing that 



lo6 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

morning, and the church was crowded. When the young friends 
sang they created a marked impression, and the people looked 
from one to another, and then at the singers, as if they should 
like to applaud them were it not out of place. At the close of 
the service, several of the people present, and the minister, 
thanked them for their singing, and begged of them to sing the 
following Sunday. George explained that it was out of the 
question, as his party were to leave town the next morning. 

The young people passed the afternoon and evening at home, 
and the boys gave the young ladies an account of their intended 
trip. The latter thought it would be delightful, and wished they 
were going. George learned from Miss Van Wyck that the 
parents of the two girls, and a party of their friends, were coming 
to Berlin the first of August, and that the whole party would 
make an excursion to Dixville Notch, and across Lake Umbagog, 
before returning home. 

This set George to thinking, and he informed his fair com- 
panion that the boys would reach Dixville Notch about the 6th 
of August, and would probably stop a week there, and urged her 
to get her friends to visit the Notch before the boys left. She 
promised to accomplish it if possible, declaring that Grace and 
herself would be very happy to meet the young gentlemen 
again. 

The boys had enjoyed themselves at Berlin ; and it was not 
without a feeling of regret, that they bade the young ladies and 
Mr. Marston, who had driven to the station with them, farewell, 
as they jumped on the cars and were whirled away northward. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



107 



CHAPTER IV. 




FROM BERLIN TO COLEBROOK. SCENES EN 

ROUTE. FISHING FOR BROOK TROUT. 

BEAVER FALLS. A DEER STORY. ASCENT 

OF MOUNT MONADNOCK. AN AMATEUR 

SHOW. 

'HEY had left Berlin on the day express, 
to better enjoy the scenery along the 
railroad, which between Berlin and North 
Stratford is well worth looking at. A 
short distance above the station the road 
skirts Dead-River Pond, then striking 
the valley of the Upper Ammonoosuc, 
follows it down (frequently crossing that 
erratic stream) to the Connecticut. The 
Parson, whose eye was ever open to the 
picturesque, caught a view of a small 
stream, on which stood an old mill. 
A little way below a young boy was 
seated on the bank, indulging in the favorite pastime of many of 
the country youth, angling for trout. Fred was delighted with this 
view, and quickly transferred the salient points of the picture to 
his sketch-book, to be worked up at his leisure. Milan and West 
Milan were soon passed, and the boys were surprised to see the 
rocky character of the land. A countryman who sat near, overhearing 
their talk, told them it was "strong land," and added, with a grin. 



lo8 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

that " it must be, to hold up all the rocks there were on it." 
A little beyond Stark, the next station, the train dashed through 
a frightful gap in the mountains. 

Of the scenery along this part of the road, P^arrar's " Andros- 
coggin Lakes Illustrated" says: — 

" A short distance from Stark, we pass by a tremendous circular precipice, 
called the ' Devil's Slide,' whose perpendicular walls, shattered and torn appar- 
ently with some mighty convulsion, rise to the height of five or six hundred 
feet. The Indians, in their mythology, peopled all these mountain regions with 
invisible spirits, who controlled the winds and storms, and in their quarrels 
hurled the gleaming thunderbolts at each other, the effects of which were seen 
in the splintered trees and shivered rocks ; and they have a tradition that in 
a remote age a huge mountain barred the valley where now the railroad passes, 
and that on a time when the heavens were convulsed, the earth reeling, and 
the atmosphere blazing with the terrible warfare of these invisible powers, one- 
half of the mountain sank down into the bowels of the earth, leaving the precipitous 
sides of the other, bare and shattered, as they have remained to the present day. 
Just beyond this locality you open on a fine view, off to the right of those 
remarkable twin mountains, the Percy Peaks, — generally considered to be the 
most symmetrical elevations of the whole mountain region. Standing aside from 
the dark mountain ridges which swing away northerly, their white cones clearly 
defined, the tourist cannot mistake them, from whatever point viewed ; they are 
the admiration of all who behold them. Having these peaks in sight almost 
constantly for six miles, we next find ourselves at Groveton. Half a mile above 
here is a station known as Groveton Junction, the terminus in this direction of 
the Concord and Montreal Railroad, whose trains connect with those of the 
Grand Trunk." 

At the junction the boys left the train a few moments, and 
were rewarded for their trouble with a beautiful view of the 
mountains to the southward. A short distance above here, as 
the train flew onward, they caught their first glimpse of the 
Connecticut River, which kept them company on the left. They 



no 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



soon passed Stratford Hollow, and Beattie's, two small stations, at 
neither of which the train stopped, and in about thirty minutes 
the conductor called out " North Stratford ! " 

"That means me," said George; "grab your grips, fellows;" 
and suitinp- the action to his words, he took his valise, and 
followed by his friends, jumped off upon the platform. Directly 
opposite was the hotel, and a clerk from it hailed them, and 

inquired where they were 



Georofe nodded 



gomg 

to the house across the 
street, and the clerk took 
his checks, and went after 
their baggage, while the 
boys walked over to the 
hotel. They found the 
landlord, who proved to 
be pleasant and affable ; 
he conducted them to a 
couple of nice rooms 
on the second floor, and 
the boys retired to attend to their toilet, for it had been very 
dusty on the railroad. 

When they returned to the office below, George asked the 
landlord what there was in the vicinity worth seeing, and to 
suggest a pleasant way of passing the next day. He told them 
an excursion to Maidstone Lake, seven miles distant, where they 
would find good fishing, would use up a day very nicely. 

" Are we not quite near Vermont, landlord ? " asked George. 
"I should say you were," smilingly replied Mr. Moses. "The 
river is the boundary line between the two States. You have 




PERCY PEAKS. 



I 12 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



only to walk across the bridge to be in the Green Mountain 
State." 

" I guess we'll take a trip into Vermont, then, before supper," 
remarked George, laughing, and added, " By the way, was it not 




ON THE CONNECTICUT RIVER, NEAR NORTH STRATI URD, N. H. 



somewhere in this vicinity that Boyton took to the water, when 
he floated down the Connecticut ? " 

" He went in just below the bridge," 

" Suppose we take a walk over that way, boys," proposed 
George, and the party started toward the river. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



113 



The next day they made an excursion to Maidstone Lake in 
Vermont, and " had a bang-up time," as the Parson expressed it, 
returning to the Willard House at night, well tired out. Wednes- 
day they visited a trout stream, that was well recommended by 
the village fishermen, accompanied by one of them as guide ; 
they carried their 
dinner, and at 
night returned with 



over sixty trout, 
part of which the 
landlord had 
cooked for their 
supper. 

Thursday morn- 
ing they suddenly 
concluded to go 
on to Colebrook, 
and, as they did 
not wish to wait 
for the stage, hired 
the landlord to 
carry them up in 
an open wagon, 

which gave them a good chance to see the country. They enjo)'ed 
the ride up the Connecticut Valley very much, the river being in 
sight on their left nearly all the way. The view of the intervales 
was charming, and the dark-browed peak of Monadnock during the 
latter part of the ride was ever before theni. They put up at the 
Parsons House in Colebrook, it having been recommended to them, 
and they found it all that could be desired, in a country inn. There 




WHERE BOYTON TOOK TO THE WATER. 



114 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



were some thirty people in the house from Boston, New York, and 
Philadelphia, among them some young fellows about their own age. 

Mr. Moses went back after dinner, and the boys walked out 
to see the town, and " get the lay of the land," as Ned 
expressed it. The hotel was pleasantly situated, commanding 
a view of the intervale, cut in two by the sparkling river, with 

the thickly wooded 
mountains beyond. 
During the evening 
the boys had some 
talk with Mr. Bailey, 
the proprietor of the 
hotel, about the best 
places in the vicinity 
for fishing, and as he 
had nothing especial 
to do the next day, 
he promised to go 
with them. 

The f o 1 1 o w i n g 
morning after break- 
fast, accompanied by 
their host, they drove 
some five miles to a stream that had the reputation of being a good 
trout brook. They put up their horses at a farm near the brook, 
and with their fishing-tackle and lunch, plunged into the woods, 
following up the stream for three miles, and then began fishing 
down. They met with good success, capturing about fifty before 
dinner-time, and when they stopped to lunch, Mr. Bailey, who had 
brought a frying-pan, pork, potatoes, salt and pepper, along with him, 




MOUNT MONADNOCK, AND COLKBROOK, N. H. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



115 



made a fire, and die party had some of their trout, fresh from the 
brook, and crisply fried, as the piece de resistance of the meal. 
The boys all declared it was jolly, it seemed so like camping out, 
and George remarked that it was only a foretaste of what was to 
come when they reached the Androscoggin Lakes. After dinner they 
resumed their fishing, following the brook down to the bouse where 
they had left their horses ; they carried home about two hundred 
trout, and the 
other guests of 
the hotel compli- 
mented them on 
their orood luck. 
When the 
boys arose the 
next morning, 
they found it 
raining, and saw 
from the piazza 
that the top of 
old Monadnock 
was buried in the 

clouds. Lounging about the house after breakfast, they became 
acquainted with a guide and hunter by the name of Norton. He 
also paid a good deal of attention to taxidermy, and the fellows, 
becoming interested in his talk, at his invitation went to his shop 
near the hotel, and looked over his stock of stuffed owls, ducks, 
partridges, eagles, etc. He had also on hand several fine deer and 
caribou heads, some with very handsome horns. Ned told Mr. Norton 
that if he shot a deer or caribou, he would send the head to him 
to be mounted. 




LUNCH IN THE WOODb. 



ii6 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



The weather cleared during the night, but as the following 
day was Sunday, the boys went to church in the forenoon, and 
for a short walk in the afternoon, passing the rest of their time 
at the hotel in reading and writing. 

Monday forenoon they made a trip to Beaver Falls, which 
they pronounced one of the prettiest cascades they had ever 

seen. The ride o-q- 
ing and returning 
was also enjoyable, 
in spite of the mud 
caused by the recent 
rain, for the day was 
delightful overhead, 
and the scenery 
along the way worth 
noticingr. 

After dinner, while 
talking over their trip 
to the Falls, a young 
fellow who was board- 
ing at the house came 
out on the piazza and 
spoke to them. After 
talking a short time, he informed them that some of his friends had 
been working with him to get up a variety show to be given at the 
town hall the following Friday evening, and inquired if they had ever 
done anything in the amateur theatrical or minstrel line, and when told 
that they had, he immediately importuned them to take part in the 
performance. He said he was going over to the hall in a few 
minutes to rehearse some acts, and invited them to go ; as the 




BEAVER FALLb, COLELROOK, N H. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 17 

boys did not wish to appear churlish, they went, and the resuk was 
their promising to take part in the performance. 

Tuesday morning after breakfast they strolled into Norton's 
place again, and began chatting with him about his experiences 
in the woods, and Dick asked him to tell them a story. He 
laughingly replied that he was not much of a story-teller, but 
he would tell them about a little scrimmage he had with a deer 
once that might interest them. Asking them to sit down, and 
make themselves at home, he related the following narrative : — 

" During the month of October a few years ago, I was 
camping at Lincoln Pond, over on the east side of the Magallo- 
way. Deer signs were thick in the vicinity, but as I had been 
there only a week, and was busy all the time in building a 
camp and setting traps, I had not obtained a shot at one. 

" Taking my rifle one morning after breakfast I started for 
Flint's Camp at Sunday Pond, and had followed the trail leading 
to I lie Magalloway River, scarcely a mile, when I came upon 
the largest deer track I had ever seen. 

" Stooping down, I examined the prints of the animal's hoofs, 
and found the tracks fresh — in fact, he must have passed along 
within an hour. He was heading down river, and without another 
thought of Spoft, I followed the tracks. 

" At first I walked rapidly, stopping occasionally to see that 
I was on the trail, and after followinor it for half an hour, I moved 
more cautiously, as I had an idea I was nearing the game. 

" Half a mile below where I was at the moment, a lagoon 
made in from the river, and at the head of this was a good 
feeding-ground for deer. I was confident that if I did not over- 
haul the deer before reaching the lagoon, I should find him 
there, and such proved to be the fact. 



Il8 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" I covered the last half mile slowly, as I crept carefully most 
of the way, and as I approached the water, I saw between the 
trees the deer standing at the edge of the lagoon feeding. 

" As yet, he was unaware of my presence. But as I changed 
my position a trifle, to secure a better aim, I stepped one foot 
on a dry limb, which broke under my weight. The deer heard 
the noise, and raising his head looked suspiciously around him. 

"Then I noticed it was the largest buck I had ever run 
across in this part of the country, and he carried a splendid set 
of horns. For a moment I was so excited I did not dare trust 
myself to fire, for fear of missing my mark, but after a few 
seconds, feeling cooler, I took careful aim and blazed away. 

"The deer dropped, and, not doubting but what he was dead, 
for I never had a better shot in my life, I rushed out of the 
woods, set my rifle against a tree, and drawing my knife, walked 
up to the buck to cut his throat. When within six feet of him, 
I stepped into a hole, my right leg going down clear to my 
knee, throwing me forward, and shaking the knife out of my 
hand, which flew beyond my reach. 

"Just as I had succeeded in getting my foot out of the hole, 
the animal, which I had not killed but only wounded, came at 
me with a rush. I dodged him by a hair's breadth, and sprang 
for my knife, which I had just caught sight of. 

" I grabbed it by the handle, and arose to my feet just in 
time for the deer to catch me between his horns, and throw me 
over his back six feet behind him, as easy as a terrier would 
shake a rat. I lit on all fours, feeling a good deal, I imagine, 
as a man would if an elephant had struck him ; but I knew it 
would not do to lie there, although I felt as if every bone in 
my body was broken, and scrambling to my feet, I dodged behind 



I20 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

a spruce tree, about two feet through, just as Mr. Buck charged 
on me again. 

" In his bHnd fury he struck a large spruce tree with such 
force that it staggered him, and whipping around to one side, I 
plunged the knife into his neck, and giving it a rip, killed him 
almost instantly. Then I sat down to rest, for I felt about used 
up." 

" I think you must," remarked George. 
" After sitting awhile, I stood up, slipped a fresh cartridge 
into my rifle, and then whipped off the deer's hide. I dressed 
the carcass and cut it up, then taking the head and horns, and 
a quarter of the meat, I put for camp. In the afternoon 
I made two trips to the place, although feeling bruised and sore 
from my shaking up, and sacked the skin and the rest of the meat 
to camp. 

" That was my first deer that season ; and although I never 
could tell just what he weighed, not having any scales, I think 
he must have run up to nearly two hundred. Before the first 
of January, when I broke camp, I had shot five more." 

" I suppose you call that pretty good luck," said Dick. 

** Yes ; and besides, I took from my traps over two hundred 
dollars worth of fur. But it is most time for dinner ; let's go 
over to the house." 

In the afternoon the boys went to the hall with the other 
young fellows who were to give the show, and passed the time 
until supper in rehearsing. 

The next day, taking their guns and a small spy-glass belong- 
ing to Ned, they started to ascend Mount Monadnock. The 
morning was clear and bright, and they expected to get a fine 
view. From the hotel to the summit of the mountain, Mr. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 121 

Bailey had told them was about three miles. They crossed the 
river over the toll-bridge, then struck into a field directly opposite, 
passed across the cleared land to the edge of the woods, where they 
found a logging-road. This offered very fair walking, except for 
the windfalls, which obstructed their path frequently. Half-way up 
the mountain the road ended, but they kept on over a rather blind 
path, that was supposed to lead to the top. After following this 
for a time, they lost it, and after a few minutes useless search to 
regain it, they struck through the forest. For two hours they 
scrambled through the woods, which in many places contained 
thick underbrush, coming out by accident upon the barren ledge» 
from whence the best lookout is obtained, and sat down to rest. 

The view from this point they found to be picturesque, wild, 
and extensive, and they passed nearly an hour there. Before 
leaving the place they ate their lunch, washing it down with 
draughts of cool water from a sparkling spring near them. 

Norton had told them the night before, that if they w^ent 
down on the back side of the mountain they might possibly find 
a deer. After eating they started over the summit, and took a long 
tramp on the other side ; but although they ran across man)- tracks, 
some of which were apparently fresh, they did not sec any animal 
larger than a squirrel. At three o'clock they were nearly at the foot 
of the west side of the mountain, and as they had a steep climb 
before them, before they could hope to descend the east side, 
George advised moving toward home. Their course was rather 
irregular, and it was after six o'clock before they reached the 
hotel, completely tired out, and hungry as bears that have just 
left their den in the spring. 

Thursday, much to their disappointment, they had another rain\- 
day, and were compelled to stay in-doors. Friday forenoon they 



122 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

went out to a point on the Mohawk stream some distance from 
the village, and caught about twenty trout, returning to the hotel 
in season for dinner. The afternoon they passed at the hall in 
rehearsing, and assisting their new friends in putting up scenery. 
After an early supper, they returned to the hall, and went 
behind the scenes. The show was to begin at eight o'clock, and 
as it was free, the young men only giving it for fun, at half-past 
seven every seat was filled, and every available foot of standing 
room occupied. The bill embraced music, singing, dancing, banjo 
and bone solos, negro acts and farces. The performance went 
very smoothly, and everybody and everything was applauded to 
the echo. But an incident occurred on the stage that was not 
down on the programme. 

Dick, who had not forgotten the chaffing he and George had 
undergone from Fred and Ned at Berlin Falls, on the occasion 
of the ride to the Lead-Mine Bridge, determined to get even 
with his tormentors, and as Ned was to black up and play a 
banjo solo, Dick watched his chance, and fixed a small carpet 
tack, point upwards, in the stool on which his friend was to sit 
while manipulating the banjo. The curtain was down to change 
the scene just before Ned went on, and Dick, who was busy 
helping set the scene, carried on the stool for his unsuspecting 
victim. The curtain was rung up. and Ned walked leisurely on, 
bowing right and left to the applause that greeted him. and 
then carelessly threw himself down on the stool, and with a yell 
that would have done credit to Forrest in Metamora, went about 
six feet into the air. As he came down he pulled the tack out 
of his pantaloons, and then looking the stool carefully over, to 
see if it was all right, he cast a savage glance at the wings, 
where some of the company were watching him, convulsed with 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



12 



laughter, and sat down and went on with his playing-. The 
audience had supposed Ned's freak was a part of his business, 
and had laughed themselves hoarse at the queer antics he cut. 
When he left the stage he savagely interviewed every one who 
had taken part in the performance, about the tack ; but not a 
soul knew anything about it, although they all " saw the point." 

Later along in the evening, George and Dick were standing 
at one of the entrances, listening to two young ladies who were 
singing a duet, when George asked his companion if he had ever 
thought what a difference 
there was in the appear- 
ance of things in a theatre 
before and behind the 
curtain. 

" Not particularly ; but 
I have no doubt if the 
curtain should rise sud- 
denly, when the actors 
were unprepared, and re- 
veal what was going on behind it, it would be better than the 
play." 

" You are right, Dick. One night about a year ago, I was 
behind the scenes on the Boston Theatre stagfe. It was between 
the acts. I had just peeped at the audience, and noticed the 
expectant look on the crowd of upturned faces, and the air of 
business with which the musicians were playing a medley, when 
1 suddenly turned and took a glance at the stage, and the 
difference struck me as being so ludicrous, I could not help 
laughing. Down in the centre of the stage a lady and gentle- 
man of the company were trying to waltz to the music of the 




AN UNCOMFORTABLE SEAT. 



124 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



orchestra ; off to the right of them, two others were rehearsing 
a love-scene that came in the next act ; behind them on one 
side, an actor was conning his hnes, and two others were 
indulging in a boxing-bout with gloves on ; and at the rear of 
the stage one of the carpenters was at work on a flat. I thought 

to myself, if the curtain 
should rise suddenly, it 
would be as good as a 
circus to see those people 
scatter, and I really itched 
to run it up." 

"You would have 
brought down the house," 
said Dick, laug^hincr at the 
contrasted picture. 
A farce wound up the performance, and it went well, giving 
satisfaction to both actors and audience, and the show was over. 
The boys had all enjoyed it, and had had a good time, and 
their last night in Colebrook would always be green in their 
memory. 





THE DIFFERENCE. 



THROUGH THE WILDS, 1 25 




CHAPTER V. 

COLEBROOK TO THE DIX HOUSE. CATCHING TROUT WITH A SILVER 

HOOK. DIXVILLE NOTCH. A DAy's FISHING. LOST IN THE 

WOODS. SHOOTING A DEER. CAMPING OVER NIGHT. THE RES- 
CUING PARTY. RETURN TO THE HOTEL. 



jATURDAY they were up bright and early, and packed 
their trunks before breakfast. It was a lovely morn- 
ing, clear as a bell, with but very little air stirring. 
At eight o'clock they left the Parsons House in one 
of Mr. Bailey's mountain wagons, with four good readers in front 
of them. It was ten miles to the Dix House, the road following 
the Mohawk River nearly the entire distance. The highway led 
through a valley, walled on both sides by mountains, which grad- 
ually increased in height as they neared the Notch. 

For the first five miles the view although charming was quiet 
and pastoral, but on the latter half of the ride it became wild and 
grand; the irregular peaks that shut in the Notch, cleaving the sky 
with their sharp minarets and towers, called forth exclamations of 
surprise and delight from the boys, who had read considerable about 
this romantic place. 

After a few miles drive the knight of the ribbons hauled up at a 
watering-trough beside the road to water his horses ; and while they 
were drinking, two young urchins came along the road, each with a 
fine string of trout. 

"Where did you get those trout, bub?" asked George, addressing 
one of the boys. 



126 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" Over 'n the river." 

" What river? " 

" Mohawk." 

" Will you sell them ? " 

" Dunno," with a look at his companion, as if to see what he 
thought of it, 

" I will buy them if you wish to sell. Now what will you take for 
them ? " 

" Dunno. What'll yer give ? " 

" A regular Yankee," said George, smiling. "Answers one ques- 
tion by asking another. I will give you a dollar, — fifty cents each." 

The two boys now whispered together for a few moments, and 
then announced that they would trade. The trout were accordingly 
placed in the bottom of the wagon, and covered up, and George 
passed the boys fifty cents each, and their eyes opened like full 
moons as they turned the silver over in their hands. 

" You've made them little chaps happy," said the driver, chirruping 
to his horses, and starting them along. 

"I'm glad of it," returned George. " They don't look as if they 
had much money to spend." 

" They never had so much before in their lives," declared the driver 
confidently. " They're brothers, you know, and their father is a regular 
out-and-out guzzler, and spends every cent he can earn for whiskey. 
I hope the boys will give that money to their mother, for if the old 
man finds they've got it, he'll take it away from them, and keep drunk 
a week on it." 

" Then I hope he will not get it," replied George with energy. 

"So do I, blast his pictur ! " and the driver looked fierce, as if 
thoughts of the drunken man awakened unpleasant memories. 

They passed through two small villages on the way, both of which 



128 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

clustered around mills, but the greater part of the distance the houses 
were a long way apart, and when they were within two miles of the 
Dix House they passed the last cottage. The driver informed them 
that many of the farms along the route had been partially or wholly 
cleared up within the last five years ; and the numerous stumps stand- 
ing in most of the fields confirmed the driver's story. 

"Do they cut much lumber around here?" asked Dick of the driver, 
as he gazed on the thick forests which covered many of the mountains 
to their summits. 

" Wall, no, not much. But over on the Connecticut, I tell yer 
they put in a raft of it last spring ; there was a hundred million went 
down that river, and all owned by the Connecticut River Lumber 
Company." 

" What a pile of logs that must have been ! " 

"Yes," returned the driver, "that was a grist of logs. But 1 
didn't mean there was a hundred million logs," he continued, for 
he had seen the mistake the city boy had made, and, with more 
honesty than most of his class would have shown, hastened to correct 
Dick's error. " When I say a hundred million, I mean that is the 
number of feet, board measure, that can be sawed out'n logs; and 
whenever yer hear men talking up here about thousands or millions 
in connection with logs, you can know it isn't the number of logs, but 
the number of feet of lumber they can get out of 'em, that they 
mean." 

" Thank you for the explanation ; I understand it now." 

" I should judge we were near the Notch," said George, as he 
caught a glimpse, through the tops of the trees, of some seamed and 
ragged peaks looming high above them. 

" Only half a mile from the house," returned the driver, and added, 
" Do you see that big rock'n the left of the road ?" pointing at a good- 



THROLGn IHK WJLDS. 



129 



sized boulder that stood just outside the wheel ruts. " I was coniioL;- 
along' here on ni) wa)- home one day last week with a single hitch, 




I'RIGllTEXLD DEER. 



and right opposite that rock I saw two deer standing in the middle 
of the road, and darned if they didn't frighten my hoss, and he like 
to run away with me." 



I30 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" Did you have a gun with you?" inquired Ned eagerly. 

" No, I didn't ; but if I had, I couldn't of used it. for I had all I 
wanted about that time tew take care of my animil. And besides, it 
frightened the deers as much as it did the hoss, and they streaked it on 
the clean jump." 

" I hope we shall run across some," said Ned ; " if I can only get 
a eood shot at one, I'll fix him." 

" Perhaps yer will," said the driver doubtfully. " Did yer ever 
shoot a deer ? " 

"No." 

" Wall, the proberbility is that the first deer yer see, you'll have the 
buck fever, and '11 miss him by a rod." 

" Don't you believe it," replied Ned indignantly. 

" Bet a quarter I'm right," chuckled the driver, who had not a ver^^ 
high opinion of cityNimrods; "but there's Parsons's," as the wagon 
reached a cleared space, " and you'll soon have a chance to stretch 
your legs." 

The horses were reined to the left, and soon covered the short 
distance between the main road and the hotel. A few people were sit- 
ting on the piazza, and they gazed curiously at the new-comers, as the 
boys jumped out of the wagon. A tall gentleman, old and somewhat 
wrinkled, with bushy whiskers, now came forward and welcomed them, 
and the driver introduced him to the party as the landlord. George 
asked him to show them some rooms ; he took them up-stairs, and 
they selected apartments that looked out on Table Rock. They fol- 
lowed the landlord down, and the driver, who was awaiting them on 
the piazza, asked George what he should do with the trout. 

" Have part of them cooked for our dinner, and the rest for sup- 
per," put in Dick, who was very fond of fish, and Mr. Parsons ordered 
a man to put part of them in the ice-house, and carry the remainder to 
the kitchen. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 131 

" I say, Parsons, the boys had pretty good hick, didn't they?" and 
the driver winked at George. "They caught all those trout this morn- 
ing between Colebrook and here." 

" They did ! They must be lucky fishermen. That is more trout 
than I have seen at once before this summer." 

" Yes, we are always lucky," chimed in the Parson. " Might have 
shot a deer back here a mile on the road, but did not wish to break 
the law." 

" Is that so ?" 

"Yes, we might have shot one, if there had been one to shoot;" 
and the rogue laughed, and looked saucily at Mr. Parsons, who only 
said, " Ah, um, I see," but could not repress a smile, as the joke 
dawned upon him. 

After the baggage had been carried to their rooms, the boys 
removed the stains of travel from their clothes, and then came down 
to look about them. They found the house stood on a slight eminence, 
a few rods from the road, close to the Gate of the Notch, entirely sur- 
rounded by mountains, which formed an irregular amphitheatre, with 
the road toward Colebrook the only ostensible outlet. Toward the 
Notch the road was seen a short distance, until it disappeared among 
the cliffs, entirely lost in that direction. Some of the loftiest and 
most romantic peaks of the pass were in sight of the hotel, and 
but a short distance from it. 

Just before dinner George inspected the register to see if their 
friends from Berlin had been there, but he did not find their names. 

In the afternoon the boys asked Mr. Parsons if the path leading 
to the top of Table Rock was easy to follow. He assured them it 
was, and from the piazza pointed out the place where the)' should leave 
the road. With this information they started to climb the mountain, 
but they found it a hot day for such violent exercise. Once on the 



132 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



way, however, they would not back down, although they soon dis- 
covered that it was the steepest piece of mountain climbing they had 
ever undertaken. The last few rods to the summit, called "Jacob's 
Ladder," severely tried their muscles, and in the hot sun they " sweat 
like beavers." After thirty minutes' hard climbing they reached the 




WESTERN ENTRANCE TO DIXVILLE NOTCH. 



top, and walking across the giddy path that led to the verge of the 
cliff they sat down to rest. Looking about them they saw Mount 
Monadnock, on whose summit they had so lately stood, and mountain 
upon mountain beyond it, many of which were in Canada, They 
could see nearly the whole of the Mohawk River Valley, which lay 
spread out before them as on a map, and toward the south they could 
look over into Maine, until the view was barred by Speckled and Sad- 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



^Z7> 



dleback Mountains, the gigantic sentinels of Grafton Notch. All was 
wildness and desolation around, the only sign of civilization in the 
immediate vicinity being the hotel, far below them, dwarfed to Lilli- 
putian size. 

" I should think it would be a hard climb for women up here," said 
Dick, finally breaking the impres- 
sive silence. 

" Probably it is," returned 
George. " I did not find it any 
too easy. But Parsons says that 
a great many ladies come up here." 

"Where is the Snow Cave?" 
queried Ned : "let us see if we 
can find it." 

" Mr. Parsons said it was back 
of this ledge somewhere," remarked 
Fred. " Come on, and we will 
hunt it up ; " and suiting the action 
to the word, he walked carefully 
back over the narrow path, fol- 
lowed by the others, and after 
fifteen minutes' diliofent search 
they found the place. 

It was an immense split or rift in the mountain, how deep they could 
not tell, into which the snow had blown, and was now full to within 
about six feet of the top. 

" The idea of finding snow or ice, whichever it is, the sixth day of 
August!" said Georore, shrueeinsf his shoulders; " I should think the 
people up here would freeze to death in winter." 

After looking at the cave they tramped along the edge of the cliff 




SUMMIT OF TABLE ROCK 



134 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



for almost a mile, obtaining different views all the time, then retraced 
their route to Table Rock, and thence to the road by the same path. 
From the highway they obtained a good general view of the Notch, 
and feeling tired from the heat and their climb, they returned to the 
hotel, and lounged away the rest of the afternoon on the piazza ; that 
is to say, all but the Parson, who busied himself in making a sketch of 
Table Rock. 

After supper the boys brought down their hammocks and hung them 
in the grove near the house, and turning into them, lay chatting while 
they watched the daylight fade to twilight, and the twilight deepen 
into darkness. 

" How still it is here," said Dick, durino- a lull in their conversation ; 
" one can almost fancy he is out of the world." 

" It comes pretty near it," replied George, " when in a place like 
this, dropped down in a hole scooped out of these mountains, and not 
another house within two miles of you. What a place for a person 
who wanted absolute rest and quiet ! If one could not find it here, 1 
don't know where you would go for it." 

The evening was hot and sultry, and about nine o'clock it began to 
thunder, accompanied by lightning. Then came a gentle sprinkle, 
which soon degenerated into a down-pour, and the rain fell in torrents. 
The peals of thunder grew heavier, and the flashes of lightning sharper, 
until it seemed almost as if the heavens were on fire, while the salvos 
from heaven's artillery became absolutely terrific, echoing back from 
cliff to cliff, on each side of the narrow pass. The very ground 
beneath the hotel seemed to tremble with the concussion. The clouds 
black as ink hung low down, entirely concealing the tops of the 
mountains, while the darkness was so profound, you could almost seem 
to touch it ; with each flash of lightning the ragged walls of the Notch 
were illumined for a moment, but so short was the flash, that everything 



THROUGH 'I HE WILDS. 



135 



appeared confused to the eye, and you fancied the pinnacles gigantic 
gobhns, threatening to descend from their rocky foundations and devour 
you. A weird feehng was in the air, and its supernatural influence 
stole over the boys, giving them a decidedly unpleasant and unnatural 
feeling. The storm lasted an hour, which seemed an age to the party, 
and when it was over, the boys concluded that it was a little ahead of 
anything in the shape of a thunder-storm that they had ever experienced. 











" Do you have many 
such thunder-storms as 
I'i that here in a season. 
Mr. Parsons ? " asked 
Ned. after the last mut- 
terings of the storm had 
ceased, and the party 
had recovered from the uneasy influence which had held them spell- 
bound for a while. 

" Well, no, no, not many," replied the landlord ; " that is about as 
heavy a one as I ever remember." 

" I am glad you don't. 'riicre was a little too much sublimity 
about that to suit me. 1 came about as near beincr friofhtened as 



PINNACLES OF DIXVILLE NOTCH. 



136 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

ever I did in my life. I never heard such a racket during a thunder- 
storm before." 

" Nothing Hke getting used to it," said Mr. Parsons. 

" Very true. But you might as well kill a person as scare them to 
death. What time do you have breakfast in the morning ? " 

" About eight o'clock. But you can have yours earlier if 
you wish." 

" No, thanks. Eight o'clock Sunday morning is early enough for 
us," and bidding the landlord good-night, the boys retired. 

Alter breakfast Sunday morning, the boys gathered on the piazza, 
where they amused themselves for an hour, and then started off for a 
walk, George leading the way. They followed the highway nearly to 
where the path turned off to Table Rock, and then George proposed 
that they should try and scramble to the top of the mountain on the 
opposite side of the road. This was no easy task from the fact that 
there was no path, and the footing was precarious. When they had 
ascended twenty or thirty feet they reached a spot where the carriage 
road had formerly run, but a slide had destroyed it. 

" I should like to know who keeps this road in repair," said Dick, as 
the party stopped a moment to take breath ; "it looks as if the rocks 
were tumbling down here all the time." 

"The State," replied George, "and it must require quite a sum 
to do it." 

Climbing over the ruins of the former road, they picked their way 
carefully to the summit, but not without two or three slips which threw 
them down, and caused miniature slides to roll down the mountain. 
Gaining the top, they followed the edge of the cliff for some way to 
the east, obtaining excellent views of the opposite side of the Notch. 
Some way beyond where they had climbed up, they came upon 
Columnar Rock, a curious column of seamed and scarred rock, its sides 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



"^Zl 




^r ^ 







Mm 



nearly square. It towered to a height of from thirty to forty feet, and 
Dick thought he would like to climb to the top of it, but his friends 
would not let him make the attempt, as it seemed a very dangerous if 
not impossible thing to do. It was very tiresome walking in this 
vicinity, and they suddenly came to the conclusion that they had taken 
all the exercise they needed, 
and, descending carefully to the 
road, returned slowly to the 
hotel. 

"There is one good thing 
about this Notch," said the 
Parson ; " there is always a 
breeze here. It would be a 
fearful hot hole, were it not 
for this wind." 

" That is so," acknowledgfed 
Dick ; " but I will bet it blows 
hard enough here in the winter 
to take the hair right off of a 
man's head." 

" Oh, the natives up here 
glue it on in winter," grinned 
Ned. 

After dinner Dick proposed 
that they should go a-fishing ; 
l)ut George told him it was Sunday, and he had better content 
himself in the house, and flatly refused to go. As Dick was not 
anxious to go alone, he stopped at the hotel with the others, and 
they devoted most of the afternoon to music. 

As the boys gathered on the piazza in the evening. Dick asked 




COLUMNAR ROCK, DIXVILLE NOTCH. 



138 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

George where he supposed the girls were, meaning the young ladies 
whose acquaintance they had formed at Berlin. 

" I think they are at the Cascade House," answered George. 

" Did you not expect them here last night ?" 

" Hardly. You know, it all depended on their folks whether they 
came or not, and perhaps their party have not reached Berlin yet." 

" I looked for them Saturday night, and thought sure we should see 
them to-night." 

" Oh, don't worry, Dick. If they come we shall know it, and if 
they don't we cannot help it. I do not imagine their parents are the 
kind of people who travel Sundays, unless it were absolutely necessary, 
so I did not expect them to-night. If I were you, young man, I would 
not build my hopes too high on their coming, and then if they don't 
come, you will not be so badly disappointed." 

" You talk cool enough, I hope," replied Dick with a comical look. 
" I thought you were very anxious to have them come here. I thought 
you were smashed on Miss Van Wyck." 

" Oh, not so bad as that," declared George, blushing and laughing. 
" I think she is a nice girl — yes, a very nice girl — and in fact she 
takes the cake." 

" Takes the cake, does she? Well, then, if I knov; anything, Miss 
Arden takes the whole bake-shop." 

" That may be your opinion ; but there, we will not argue the case 
further, and let us hope the girls will come to-morrow." 

Early the next morning George ran across Mr. Parsons, and 
questioned him about the fishing in the vicinity ; and the old gentleman 
informed him that he could eet some trout over to Nathan's Pond, 
three miles from the house, or on the Diamond Stream, about five 
miles distant. At the breakfast-table George acquainted his friends 
with what he had learned from Mr. Parsons, and asked them if they 
would not like to try their luck at fishing. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



139 



They were all ready for anything- that promised sport, and accord- 
ingly went from the breakfast-table to their rooms, and unpacked their 
guns and fishing-tackle, and changed the clothing they had on for their 
hunting-suits. 

" Suppose," proposed George, " that two carry their guns, and the 
other two fishing-rods ; that will be better than for every fellow to 
take both his gun and rod, for when the two who have rods become 
tired of fishing, they can change with those who have guns. We will 
take some matches and Dick's light axe, and I will carry my drinking- 
cup. Now for the lunch." 

George found the landlord, and asked him to order a lunch put up 
for the party, and then brought down his fishing-rod. Ned also carried 
an angler's equipment, and Fred and Dick their guns, the latter also 
taking his axe. 

The landlord now returned with the lunch, handing it to George, 
with the suggestion that they had better take a few worms. The 
Parson thought it a good idea, and went out by the stable and dug 
several handfuls which he imprisoned in a tomato-can. 

" A bridle-path leads to the pond, Mr. Howe," remarked the land- 
lord, " and you can ride there on horseback if you choose." 

At this the boys laughed, considering it a good joke. 

"I don't think we care to go fishing or gunning on horseback, 
Mr. Parsons," replied Georg-e when he could speak ; " at least, not 
while our legs are all right ; but it is very kind in you to make the 
offer, and we thank you for it." 

" Some of our boarders will not go over there, unless they can 
ride," added Mr. Parsons. 

" Yes. I suppose you have some lazy fellows visit you," answered 
Dick, " but we don't belong to that breed of cats. I never require 
anybody to help me draw my breath, or my salary either." 



140 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" No," put in Ned, giving his friend a poke, " the only time Dick 
requires any help, is when he is clipping the coupons from his bonds." 

The landlord smiled, and left them to attend 
to other matters. Everything was ready at last, 
and they left the hotel about eight o'clock. The 
path was very good and quite plain, and in an 
hour and a half they reached the road, and fol- 
lowed the shore around to the outlet, where 
George and Ned began fishing. Dick and the 
Parson then started off in quest of game. Dick 
left his axe with the fishermen, telling them that 
if troubled by flies, they could build a smudge. 
The lunch also was left, and George advised the 
gunners, if they did not wish to "get left" on the 
dinner question, to put in an appearance by noon. 
This the boys promised, and struck off into the 
forest. 

" Now, what are we to shoot?" queried Dick, 
as he and Fred left the pond. " Anything we 

come across ? " 

" Yes, anything we 
can eat, except squir- 
rels or rabbits. I don't 
like to shoot rabbits, 
because, if you only 
wound them, they will 
sit up on their haunches 
and cry so piteously. I popped at one with a revolver once, and 
only wounded it, and had to fire three or four times more before I 
killed it. I would not shoot another unless I were starving. Squirrels 




IN THE FOREST. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 41 

we probably should not eat, as the only kind about here are chip- 
munks ; and between you and me, Dick, I don't care to shoot a 
squirrel just for the purpose of killing it. I think it's mean." 

" So do 1," assented Dick; " and the little rocrues are so cunnincr, I 
like to see them playing in the trees." 

" 1 tell you what we will do; make the circuit of the pond, a short 
distance from the shore, and we may come across some partridges 
or deer. I should not wonder if deer came into this pond some 
time." 

" All rig-ht ; o-o ahead." 

The two boys now made their way carefully through the woods, 
keeping at a distance of about four rods from the pond. Occasionally 
they stopped and inspected the ground in search of deer tracks, and 
when they had travelled about a mile they found two or three prints 
of deer's hoofs in a path which intersected their course, and following 
these closely, they soon reached the pond. But no deer were in sight, 
and they heard no noise but the buzz of the mercantile mosquito, ever 
ready to present his bill, and the chipper and chatter of squirrels among 
the trees. 

Retracing their steps from the pond, they continued their course, 
and shortly came to a place almost impassable from the effects of 
some hurricane. Twenty or thirty trees had been blown over, some 
uprooted, others torn and twisted off, and the whole lay piled up in 
every direction in inextricable confusion. Making a detotir, the boys 
passed around this obstruction, and just as they reached the farther 
side a partridge, an old cock, flew up ahead of them, and Dick let 
drive at it, shooting it through the head. 

" That's a good shot for a rifle," said the Parson, who carried a 
double-barrelled shot-gun ; " you have bagged the first game, Dick." 

" Let us hope it won't be the last," answered Dick, as he threw 



142 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



the empty shell away, and put a fresh one in his rifle. Then, picking 

up the partridge, they went on. 

In some places the underbrush was very thick, and they progressed 

slowly. But at half-past twelve they reached the outlet of the pond, 

and joined their 
friends, without 
having increased 
their bag. 

" What luck, fel- 
lows ? " cried George, 
as the gunners came 



up. 

" Poor," answered 
Fred. " We have 
only a cock part- 
ridge, and Dick 
shot that. But we 
saw deer tracks on 
the other side of 
the pond, and that 
proves they come 
in here some- 
times." 

"I wish one 




THK FIRST BIRD. 



would show up now. But let's have our dinner. I feel hungry." 

" All right ; how many fish have you caught ?" 

" About fifty," returned Ned, " but they are all small." 

George now overhauled the basket, and taking out its contents, 

spread them on a flat rock near by, inviting his friends to " pitch m." 

No one required second urging. When they had eaten all the food. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 43 

and Dick had even squinted into the basket to be sure nothing had 
been overkwked, they interchanged experiences of the forenoon, which, 
however, had neither been exciting nor particularly interesting. For 
an hour they talked over their plans for the future, when suddenly Dick 
jumped to his feet, and, pointing to the shore of the pond on their 
right, exclaimed in an excited whisper, — 

" I see a deer ! " 

" Where, where ? " softly queried the others. 

" There in the water ; don't you see ? he is either drinking, or going 
to swim across the pond," and Dick pointed along the shore, some 
distance away. 

" He's ours ! " declared Fred, snatching up his gun, 

" Don't count your chickens until they're hatched," warned George 
with a low laugh ; " but you and Dick try and stalk him, and Ned and I 
will unjoint our rods, and follow you." 

" Yes, we wish to be in at the death," grinned Ned. 

Fred made no answer, but picked up his rifle and followed Dick, 
who was already making his way swiftly, and with but little noise, 
toward the deer. 

Before the boys were within good shooting distance, the animal 
turned and came out of the water, and stood still, apparently listening. 
In a few moments he started again, and Dick, who was yet ahead, afraid 
of losing entire sight of the game, as he would the moment the animal 
entered the thick woods, threw his gun to his shoulder, and fired both 
barrels in rapid succession. The deer leaped forward and fell ; but 
rising quickly to his feet, started on the run, and was out ot sight 
before the Parson could get a shot. 

•'Confound it! why couldn't you wait until I came up?" asked 
Fred excitedly ; "we have lost him now ! " 

" I am not so sure about that," returned Dick coolly, as he threw 



144 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



the empty shells away, and slipped two loaded ones into his barrels ; 
"besides, I couldn't wait. He was starting to run, and if I had not 
let him have it then, I should have lost my own chance for a shot. 
I'll bet ten dollars I hit him, too. I had him covered fair, and although 
it was a long distance, you know my gun is a mighty close shooter. 
I brought him to the ground anyhow, and I must have hit him, or 




M„ 



A DEER CHASE. 



he wouldn't have 
fallen." 

" Stumbled 
over something proba- 
bly," said Dick. 

" Yes, over your 
grandmother, I guess," 
returned the Parson indignantly. The boys had now reached the 
spot where the deer was when Dick fired ; and, looking round, he 
di.scovered some blood on the grass and bushes, and shouting with 
triumph, pointed it out to Fred. 

" Perhaps we can track him by the blood, and may get him yet," 
said the Parson with animation. 

" We'll try it anyway ; but let us wait until George and Ned come 
along. We ought not to run away from them." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 45 

The two fishermen soon arrived, and when they saw the blood 
stains were unanimous for following the trail, and running the game 
down if they could. Careful search soon revealed blood on the ground 
in the direction the deer had taken, and they hurried onward. The 
trail led parallel with, and near, the shore of the pond for some 
distance, finally intersecting the path leading to the hotel. Here they 
left the fishing-rods and basket until they should return, not expecting 
to be gone from this point more than an hour. 

The pursuit was now taken up in earnest. Half a mile from the 
bridle-path the trail turned to the left, and skirted the south end of 
the pond, and then led straight into the forest. Several times the 
boys stopped and listened, thinking they heard the deer. But a few 
seconds' anxious waiting served to undeceive them, and again they 
pressed forward. Occasionally they would lose the trail, and would 
spend sometimes half an hour in searching, before they would strike 
it again. Over hills and through valleys, across brooks, then through 
some cluster of windfalls, or over a piece of ground covered with huge 
boulders, they persistently followed the wounded animal, and after 
several hours' hard tracking, they reached the foot of quite a high 
mountain, and stopped a moment to rest, and wipe their heated 
faces. 

" I should not think there would be a drop of blood left in that 
deer by this time," cried Dick, panting; " he can't be a great distance 
ahead." 

•' I hope not," said Ned. " I never was so tired in my life." 

" I guess he don't intend to stop this side of the Magalloway," 
laughed George. 

" Come on ! come on ! don't talk here any longer," urged the 
Parson, " we must sight him soon ; " and he took the lead up the 
mountain. 



146 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Climbing this they found to be anything but fun. The ground was 
as rough as the sides of the mountains in the Notch, and was made up 
almost entirely of huge boulders, with but a slight covering of soil or 
moss, and between them the roots of the trees had struck down, and 
obtained a little sustenance. Their pathway was full of holes, and they 
had to be very careful where they placed their feet to avoid falling. 




RUN TO EARTH. 



Huge ledges and overhanging cliffs, sometimes fifty feet in height, 
rose before them and barred their progress, and almost invariably 
in such places they lost the trail, and had to hunt some time before 
finding it. 

At last as they reached the top of a cliff, so steep that they had 
been compelled to boost and pull each other up, they came suddenly 
upon the deer lying on the ledge. One glance was enough to con- 
vince them that they did not need to waste further ammunition. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 47 

Dick's buckshot had done their work. It was a buck, with a splendid 
pair of antlers, and he was fat as a pig. The boys looked him over 
for a few moments, and then George said they had better bleed and 
skin him. 

" I don't believe there is any blood in him," said Ned. 

" I shall send the head out to Colebrook to Norton," said Dick, 
" and have him preserve and mount it." 

Dick and George pulled off their jackets and rolled up their sleeves 
and went to work. With the axe, they cut the head carefully off, and 
then used their knives in taking off the skin. While they were doing 
this, George asked Fred and Ned to hunt up some water if there was 
any in the vicinity, for he was half-choked. 

After skinning the deer they opened and dressed it, then cut it up 
into quarters to make it easy to carry. 

" How much do you think it will weigh, George ?" 

" I don't know, Dick ; it is something I am not used to estimating 
the weight of, but by comparing it in size with a man I should judge it 
would have weighed one hundred and fifty pounds. Just lift that hind 
quarter I laid down, it is about all one of us will care to carry to the 
hotel." 

At the word " hotel," the boys looked at each other earnestly, and 
simultaneously they pulled out their watches. 

" Seven o'clock ! " both at the same moment. 

" Where in the name of Heaven has the afternoon gone to ? " 
asked George. 

"That is what I should like to know, and how we are going to get 
back to the hotel. The Lord alone knows where we are, and it will be 
dark in the woods in less than an hour," and Dick gave utterance to a 
profound whistle. 

just then the two friends returned, bringing a cup of water. 



148 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

George drank half, and passed the cup to Dick, who finished its 
contents. 

" Look here, George, is it not about time we were getting back to 
the hotel ? " and the Parson peered at his friend earnestly. 

" Yes, it is, if we only knew the way, or could have daylight to go 
back in." 

" You don't mean to say we are lost?" queried Fred anxiously. 

" That is about the size of it, for to-night at least. If it were noon, 
I don't think we should have any trouble in finding our way back to the 
hotel, and no doubt we can to-morrow. But we cannot travel through 
this forest in the dark, and the sooner we get down this mountain and 
find some decent place to camp, the better. I have no notion of sleep- 
ing on the soft side of one of these rocks." 

" Camp?" said the others in a breath. 

" Yes, camp, and we are losing valuable time now. Where did you 
find your water, Ned ? " 

" Down below, a short distance off to the left. A brook runs down 
the mountain." 

"That is a piece of luck to begin with. Let us strike the brook 
and follow it down. I will take one of the quarters of the deer, and 
the skin, and the rest you can divide between you." 

Dick picked up the axe and his rifle in one hand, and the head, 
which he wished to reach the hotel without injury, in the other, and the 
Parson and Ned tackled the other three quarters of the meat, and the 
latter leading the way to the. brook moved on. After reaching it they 
followed down the mountain, a distance of half a mile, and there 
stopped a moment to rest. 

" Now," said George, " it will not do to get a great way from this 
brook, for we must have water. Dick, you and the Parson cross the 
brook and see if you can find a decent camping-spot while Ned and I 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



149 



hunt on this side. The proper spot is a dry knoll or hummock if we 
can find one, with a little hard wood in the vicinity." 

Leaving their burdens the boys scattered, and began their search for 
a suitable place to camp on. George, who had read more about wood 
life, and heard more of it, than the other boys, soon found a suitable 
place, and giving a shrill whistle, returned to where they had dropped 
their things. The others came hurrying along, and George requested 
them to pick up the things and follow him. 

" I don't believe we could find a better spot if we hunted a week," 
said George. " Close to the bank of the brook, I ran across an 
immense boulder, perpendicular on the water-side, but shelving on the 
other. The top of it is about ten feet from the ground, and over- 
hangs so far, that a plumb-line dropped from the top would touch 
ground seven feet from the base. All we need do is to put up a 
few boughs on each side, build a fire in front, and we can get along 
nicely." 

"We shall not need much fire," said Dick; " it is not cold." 

" You will change your opinion before morning ; and you know we 
have neither overcoats nor blankets. A good fire, well attended, is all 
that will keep us from suffering with the cold." 

Dick looked incredulous, but George did not argue the point 
further. He had read enough to know what nights were in the mount- 
ains and northern wilds, and meant to govern himself accordingly. 

When they reached the rock the party were delighted with the 
place, and at once set about their work, for daylight was nearly 
gone. 

" Give me the axe," said George, as they dropped their burdens to 
the ground. " It is a pity we have not another axe, but we shall 
have to make this one answer. Luckily we have no clearing out to 
do. But we must work quick and work together; and whiki I am, 



150 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

cutting poles, do the rest of you procure a lot of small cedar, spruce, 
or hemlock boughs for us to lie on, and put them under the boulder ; 
get plenty of them while you are about it." 

Then George began searching for poles, and soon found what he 
wanted. He cut four with crotches in the tops, and two straight ones, 
then cut down a large spruce and trimmed off the limbs. After strip- 
ping it he carried the axe and poles to the rock. The crotched ones he 
sharpened at the opposite ends, and drove two on each side about four 
feet apart, one on each side being close to the rock. Then taking 
the two straight poles, he laid them in the crotches one on each side. 
Returning to the felled spruce, he obtained an armful of limbs, carried 
them to the rock and spread them across the poles, thus finishing the 
roof of the camp, the greater part of which was formed by the boulder. 
After this he cut down a number of small spruces, and dragging them 
to the camp stood them up on each side, leaning them against the 
horizontal poles. The remainder of the long limbs from the large 
spruce he also stood up at the sides, thus giving them a camp which 
would answer very well for a pleasant night. 

By this time his companions had collected a huge pile of limbs, and 
asked him what next they should do, for they acknowledged him as 
their leader, he being the oldest in the party. 

" Build a fire now, and then we'll have our supper," said George 
cheerfully. 

" Supper ! " yelled Ned, looking at George with staring eyes. 
"Where in creation shall we get it?" 

" Right behind you. Are we going to starve with four quarters of 
venison in the larder ? Not if I know myself. Now, if some of you 
fellows will start a fire directly in front, and about six feet away from 
the camp, I will arrange our bed. Fred, hunt up some birch bark ; 
Dick, gather some small, dry limbs ; and Ned, you tackle that old pine 



152 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

stub yonder, and see if you can hack it down ; that is about twenty feet 
long-, and with a few sticks of white birch will make wood enough to 
last us all night." 

" When did you learn so much about forest trees, George ? I can 
scarcely tell one from another." 

" Reading and observation, Ned. Keep your eyes and ears open 
as you go through the world. You will find it a great help to you." 

Ned started for the pine stub, muttering something about being 
" wiser than Solomon," as he went. But Georgfe did not hear him ; he 
was busy arranging the boughs the boys had brought, under the rock 
for them to lie on. He laid them in a square of six feet, and about 
six inches deep, and then threw himself down to see how it lay. 

" A bed fit for a king," he remarked after trying it ; " if we only had 
a couple of blankets we should be pretty well fixed. But we shall have 
to take turns watching in order to keep up a good fire. Now for a 
pillow," and taking more boughs he laid a row across the inner end of 
the bed about six inches high and a foot deep. 

" Here's your bark," said the Parson ; " And your dry limbs," chimed 
in Dick, as they returned, and threw down the material they had gath- 
ered. 

George went out, and taking a little of the bark, and a few of the 
smaller limbs, soon had a fire started, which grew fast as he piled on 
the fuel, until it reached a respectable size, sending forth plenty of heat, 
and a bright light. At this moment the old pine fell, the upper end of 
it nearly reaching the camp. 

" That pine is just what we want," remarked George, taking the axe 
from Ned, and telling him to rest a few moments, he chopped off 
several large pieces which Ned placed on the fire. It was now dark, 
and the boys, after cutting up the old pine into moderate-sized junks, 
gathered around the fire, and waited for George to get supper. They 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



153 



had not long to wait. Taking his knife, he cut four generous sHces from 
one of the hind quarters of the deer, and brought them to the fire. 

" Now, each fellow must be his own cook, and you can all watch me." 
George went off with the axe a short distance, but soon returned with 
four small maple limbs, each almost four feet long. He distributed 
these to his friends, then peeled the bark off from one end of the stick 
he had kept, sharpened that end, 
then stuck it through his slice of 
venison, and held it over the blaze. 
His companions, who were watch- 
ing him closely, quickly took the 
hint. 

" I wish we had some salt," re- 
marked Dick, as the meat began to 
broil, sendinor forth a frao-rant smell, 
that sharpened the appetite of ever)- 
boy around the fire. 

" Don't you remember that paper 
of salt that was in the basket ? You 
said it was not worth keeping, and 
threw it away," and George gazed at 
his hungry young friend with a sar- 
castic smile. 

" Yes, I do. And I was a fool for throwing it away." 

" Just what I thought at the time, so I picked it up," and George 
drew the paper of salt from his pocket, adding: " Never throw away a 
thing in the woods ; you can't tell how soon you may need it." 

" You are a brick, George ; that will make the meat relish a great 
deal better." 

When the boys had broiled their venison sufficientl)', they sprinkled 




THE WOODCHOPPER. 



154 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



it with salt, and it tasted very nice. It was much better than being 
entirely without food. Dick declared it to be the best meat he had 
ever eaten in his life ; but the fact that he had eaten nothing- but a 
slight lunch since morning, and had tramped all day, had a great deal 
to do in forming his opinion. There is no sauce like hunger. 

It was nine o'clock when they had finished their frugal supper, 
and George threw several sticks of wood on the fire, sending out 
a brilliant blaze, lighting up the w^oods some thirty feet away. 

" We must have 
more wood," re- 
marked Geo r ore, 
" and each one 
must chop down 
one of those white 
birches, cut it up 
into lengths three 
feet long, and 
bring it to camp. 
That will give us 
wood enough for 
the night, I think. 
Here goes for the first tree ; " and taking the axe, he walked to 
a clump of white birches close at hand, and attacking one valiantly, 
soon brought it to the ground ; then cutting it into the proper 
lengths, carried them to camp. The other boys followed his example, 
and at ten o'clock had all the wood they needed. 

"This fire must be kept up," declared George, as they threw them- 
selves down on their bed of boughs to rest. " It is now ten o'clock," 
looking at his watch by the firelight, " and I think we had better 
divide the night into four watches of an hour and a half each. The 




COOKING VENISON. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 55 

first would run until half-past eleven, the second until one, the third 
until halt-past two, and the fourth until four o'clock. By that time 
it will be light enough for us to travel, and we ought to reach the 
hotel at the earliest moment possible ; for of course the people there 
will be anxious about us, knowing we are strangers here." 

" I'll take the first watch," said Dick. 

" Don't you be in a hurry," remarked George dryly. "The first 
watch, of course, is the most desirable, and, as we can't all have it, 
I propose we draw lots to see who shall." 

" That is fair," observed the Parson. " How shall we do it, 
George ? " 

" I will get four small sticks of unequal length, and hold them in 
my closed hand, leaving the ends sticking up evenly. Then you shall 
all draw one. The fellow who gets the shortest shall have the first 
watch, the one the next longest, the second, and so on. That will 
give us all an equal chance." 

" But you will know which is the shortest stick," said Dick, with an 
air which conveyed the idea that he was a little too smart for the leader 
of the party. 

" What of that, stupid ? I don't draw myself." 

" That's so," acknowledged Dick, while his friends joined in a 
hearty laugh at his expense. 

George then selected his sticks from two to four inches long, and, 
arranging them in his hand so the boys could only see one end, told 
them to draw. When each had selected his fragment of wood, it was 
found that Ned had secured the first watch, the Parson the second, 
Dick the third, and Georg-e the last. 

" Now, remember, fellows, there must be no sleeping on duty. 
And I move that any one who goes to sleep on guard be fined five 
dollars, said sum to be expended for the benefit of the crowd when 



156 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

we return home. What do you say ? " and George looked from one 
to the other. 

The boys laughed at the proposition, but all agreed to it. 

" Well, Ned, my dumpling, you can go on guard, and we will turn 
in. Keep up a good fire, for it is beginning to grow chilly now. I 
think you had better put all our things in camp, then the meat will 
be out of the reach of any prowling animals." 

" All right, boss," replied Ned facetiously, " only I will keep the 
rifle and gun where I can get at them handily ; we may have a visit 
from a bear in the night." 

" I will insure you against all the danger from bears, only don't let 
the owls frighten you ; " and George, Dick, and Fred threw themselves 
down on the boughs. It was half an hour, at least, before they could 
get to sleep. The strangeness of their situation (for none of them 
had ever passed a night in the forest before), the solemn stillness 
of the woods, relieved only by the rippling of the brook behind them. 
or the crackling of the fire, and an occasional movement on the part 
of Ned, who had a vague idea that bears or some other wild animals 
were about, served to keep them awake ; but gradually they )'ielded 
to the unusual fatigue through which they had passed, and first one 
and then another fell into the arms of Morpheus, and all became a 
blank to them. 

After his friends had quieted down, Ned began to think it rather 
dull, and for want of something better to do, laid all the wood 
scattered about the camp in a solid pile near the fire, and sat 
down on it. He had sat hardly a minute, when he heard a noise 
that startled him ; and listening carefully, off to his right he heard, 
" Tu whit, tu whit, tu whoo-0-0," repeated half a dozen different 
times. . He arose to his feet, and peered intently off through the 
flickering firelight into the darkness. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 57 

" Confound it!" he muttered half aloud. "It is nothinof but the 
owls. I suppose the light of the fire bothers them. However, I 
will throw on a few sticks more, for it is erowine colder. Georo-e 
was right ; if we had been without matches, and consequently 
without fire, we should have suffered from the cold." 

He sat down again on the woodpile, but he could not rest 
comfortably. Every moment or two he heard some unusual sound, 
the least noise seeming painfully audible. An undefined fear was 
creeping gradually over him, which he felt he must shake off, and 
stepping softly into the camp he procured George's drinking-cup, 
and started for the brook ; not that he was particularly thirsty, but 
that he felt better when he kept moving. The brook was just 
within range of the firelight, and he could see sufficiently well 
to make his way along without stumbling. He reached the stream, 
and drank a cup of the pure water, now changed to the ruby 
color of wine, from the reflection of the camp-fire. Filling the 
cup a second time to carry with him, he turned to go back. 
The distance was perhaps a couple of rods, and midway grew 
a large sapling pine, under whose wide-spreading branches he had 
to pass. As he went by the tree, from its topmost branches came 
a sound, that for a moment paralyzed, and then started him, as 
if he had felt the full force of an electric battery. Rushing to 
the camp, and throwing down the cup, he grasped the rifle, and 
sang out for the sleepers to awake. 

" What's the row ? " inquired George. He was only half-awake, 
and had an idea that it was his turn to go on guard. 

" Yes, what is the matter ? " asked his other friends, as the 
three sprang to their feet, and gazed at Ned. who stood just 
outside the camp, rifle in hand, his eyes glaring in the direction 
of the pine. 



158 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" I heard either a wildcat or the evil one ; I don't know which." 

" Of the two," replied George, laughing, for he was now 

thoroughly awake, " I should say the chances were that you heard 

a wildcat, or a " lucivee " as they call it up here. Where do you 

think the animal is ? " 

"In that large pine. Perhaps he will yell again." 

George stepped into camp, and brought out Fred's gun, which 




SCARED BY AN OWL. 



was loaded with buckshot, and the four friends stood in earnest 
expectation. 

" Throw some more wood on the fire, Dick," requested George. 

Several large sticks were added, and the flame shot up five 
or six feet in the air, and shortly after, the same blood-curdling 
noise, half way between a screech and a yell, broke forth from the 
top of the pine. The boys jumped, and Ned fired in the 
direction of the sound. The bullet was heard to strike the tree 



THROUGH THE WJJ.DS. 1 59 

with a thud, showing it had not touched the unwelcome tenant, 
whatever it might be. 

" Don't fire again," cried George, as he noticed Ned shpping 
another cartridge into his rifle, and beginning to laugh, " it is 
nothing but a screech-owl." 

"Screech-owl?" queried Ned contemptuously, "and make such 
a noise as that ! I half-thought it was a panther." 

"All bosh!" continued George. "One summer when father 
was at Moosehead Lake, old Masterman, one of the oldest and 
best guides and hunters there, told him that he was never 
frightened in the woods but once in his liie, and that was by 
a screech-owl." 

" How was it ? " asked Dick. 

" Father told me that Masterman was out trapping, and one 
night he camped under a large pine. He was awakened from a 
sound sleep by a fearful noise, and jumped into the air more 
than six feet, with his hair standing straight all over his head. 
He grasped his rifle, and soon heard the noise, then he knew 
what it was, and he was so mad he shot the owl. He had 
heard them hundreds of times, but had always been awake ; but 
this one screeching in the night, and being directly over him. and 
his quick awakening from a sound sleep, rattled him so that he 
did not recognize the owl's noi.se, and was badly frightened. The 
old man used to laugh at the end of his story, and sa)' he had 
heard people tell ' they were not brought up in the woods to 
be scared by an owl,' but he acknowledged that he was brought 
up in the woods, and that an owl gave him the worst t right he 
ever had in his life. But it is quarter to twelve ; it is your 
turn, Fred, to keep up the fire ; and don't be scared by the 
owls," and laughing, George went into camp, followed by Ned 



l6o THROUGH THE WILDS. 

and Dick, and in spite of their fright they were soon sound 
asleep. 

When the Parson was left alone, he began pacing back and 
forth in front of the camp, to keep awake ; for now that the 
excitement was over, he began to feel sleepy again, and it did 
not seem to him that he had slept five minutes when he was 
awakened by Ned's outcry. For three-quarters of an hour, nothing 
occurred to trouble him, and he only discontinued his lonely 
march, when it was necessary to replenish the fire ; but becoming 
tired he sat down on the woodpile to rest. In this position, 
with the heat of the fire casting its soothing influence over him. 
he began to nod, and would surely have fallen asleep had he not 
heard a noise in the forest beyond the fire, to his right. Instantly 
he was wide awake, with every nerve strung to its fullest tension, 
and seizing the rifle and cocking it, he watched and listened. 
He heard slow footsteps, evidently approaching the fire, and in 
about ten minutes caught the glare or shine of some animal's 
eyes, opposite to him. Whatever the animal was, its body was so 
concealed by the gloom of the forest, that Fred could not make 
it out. Hesitating about firing, for he did not wish to unneces- 
sarily alarm his companions, the fearful note of the screech-owl 
sounded on the stillness of the night once more, and involuntarily 
he jumped and shouted, the rifle going off at random. Then 
he heard a crashing in the underbrush, and the sleepers again 
turned out with alarmed inquiries. 

"Have you shot another wildcat?" asked George. "You 
fellows seem bound to keep me awake all night." 

" No. I heard a noise in the woods opposite, and I stood 
on the watch to see what it was, when that infernal owl gave 
one of his confounded screeches again, and it startled me so that 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



i6i 



1 jumped, and the rifle went off without any intention of firing- 
on my part, and something, I should say a large animal by the 
sound, went crashing away through the bushes. I have half a 
mind to pepper away at that owl till I kill him," and the Parson 
gazed up threateningly at the pine, whose thick upper branches 
yet concealed the owl. 




A NIGHT ALARM. 



" Nonsense ! Let the bird alone. He's only a litde sociable," 
returned George, winking at Ned. 

"Too sociable by half," grumbled Fred; ''but it is one o'clock, 
so, Dick Burton, you can take your turn with the owl." 

" And see," said George, as the boys lay down again, " if you 
can get through your watch without waking everybody up. We 
are getting nothing but cat-naps, any of us, and we shall all 



1 62 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

be as sleepy to-morrow as our friend the owl, who is undoubtedly 
wondering what kind of a racket we are carrying on down here." 

For an hour Dick, who was a regular sleepy-head, resorted to 
various devices to keep awake, and as he would occasionally 
catch himself nodding, would get up and stir the fire, and wish 
the owl would screech again, if for nothing more than to keep 
him awake. Sitting down again, after a few moments' pacing 
before the camp, he began to nod, and in a few moments more 
he was sound asleep, and snoring like a major. And soon his 
restless brain beean to work, and he dreamed he was chasings 
an owl, which was flying through the air; before he could catch 
it, the bird suddenly changed to a deer, upon which rode an 
Indian maiden, who, as she turned her head towards him, 
disclosed the features of Miss Arden. Startled by this discovery, 
he half awoke, and his fancy took a new turn. He imagined 
himself camping alone on the shore of a lake, with only his dog 
for a companion. He had just shot a brace of partridges, and 
hung them up in a tree. As he felt thirsty, he leaned his gun 
against it, left his game-bag lying on the ground, ordered the 
dog to keep watch of his things, while he went to the lake to 
procure a drink. His mouth was dry, and his tongue parched ; 
as he lay down and bent over the water, it appeared like nectar 
to him. He had only taken a few swallows, when some one from 
behind gave him a push, and in he went all over. Struggling 
to get out, he awoke to find George shaking him, and the 
Parson and Ned standing by laughing. For a moment he was 
confused, but soon realized what had happened, and knew he was 
in for the five dollars. 

" Supper at Young's for four," cried Ned delighted, as Dick 
with a gape and a stretch arose to his feet. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 63 

" All right, when we get home I'm your man. I fell asleep 
before 1 knew it. 1 had two funny dreams, though, and thought 
1 was just scrambling out of a lake when George awoke me. 
What time is it ? " 

"Quarter of three," answered George; "and now lie down 
and get what sleep you can, for I shall call you promptly at 
four, for we must try and get back to the hotel before they send 
out a searching party after us." 

Quiet again reigned in the camp, broken only by the heavy 
breathing of the tired sleepers, or George throwing more wood upon 
the fire. George's watch was an uneventful one, and he passed 
the whole of the time in carefully thinking over the way they had 
travelled the day before, and of the crooks and turns they had 
made. Although not a woodsman, George was level-headed ; and 
if he was a city boy, would perhaps be better able to take care 
of himself, under the circumstances in which the party was placed, 
than some country boys, for he was particularly observant of men 
and things, and had read very extensively for a boy of his age, 
besides having a remarkable faculty for remembering what he had 
heard, and what he had read. After carefully reviewing in his 
mind their course of the day before, George came to the 
conclusion that he could find his way back to the hotel. At 
four o'clock daylight had dawned, and he aw^oke his friends, who 
quickly made ready for departure. 

" I wish we had something to put this fire out with," remarked 
George, as he scattered the burning brands about, so they would 
deaden quicker. 

"What for?" asked Dick. "What harm will it do to leave it?" 

" It might do a great deal, if there should come up a heavy 
wind, and the woods catch fire." 



164 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" True enough. I didn't think of that. But as we have 
nothing to bring water in, you have taken all the precaution in 
our power." 

" Yes. I have, and now we will be moving." 

With their load as equally divided as possible, the boys started 
off, George in front. Avoiding the underbrush all they could, 
without going too far from what he considered the right course, 
he led the way at a rapid pace for about three hours, when he 
stopped to rest. 

" Does any fellow remember what time it was when we passed 
the end of the pond yesterday, while on the track of the deer ? " 
and George threw an inquiring glance at his friends. 

" I think it was about two o'clock," said Dick. 

" And it was seven when we found the deer. Then we 
camped three-quarters of a mile this side of the spot where he 
lay. We have now been travelling three hours, and a great deal 
faster than we did yesterday. According to my calculations, this 
ridge we are on was the first hill we crossed after leaving the 
pond, and nearly as I can recall, it is about a mile from the 
pond. If we can find that, we are all right. Dick, you are 
the youngest and lightest, and the best climber in the party ; see if 
you can get to the top of that spruce, which seems to be the 
highest tree in this vicinity, and tell us what you see. Come 
along, and I will give you a boost." 

Dick followed George to the spruce, which was about a foot 
in diameter, with limbs reaching to within twelve feet of the 
ground. Grasping the trunk as far up as he could reach, he gave 
a spring, and then George caught his feet and pushed him 
higher, and this aid enabled Dick to catch hold of the lower 
limb. From that moment it was child's play to him, as he was 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



165 



one of the best g-ymnasts in the Young Men's Christian Union, 
and he rapidly made his way to the top. Seating himself on 
a limb, he looked about him, and much to his joy, for he was 
beginning to feel hungry, he dis- 
covered the pond off to the right, 
but some way beyond them. It 
lay diagonally from the tree. 

" I say, up there," hailed George. 
" Can you see anything you recog- 



nize 



"Yes, sir! I see the pond, a ,^/ 
mile or more away." w 

" In which direction ? " 

" Off to our right, in a diagonal 
course from here." 

" Point exactly where it lays," 
and George pulled out a small 
pocket-compass he carried, which 
he had not thought of before, 
but which now came to him like 
an inspiration. 

Dick did as requested, and 
George, stepping back a few feet 
from the tree, so that he could see 
better, took the point by compass. 

" North-west by north. Come down, my boy, we are all right 
now. I'll bet a hat on it." 

The moment Dick reached the ground, they all resumed their 
march, George watching the compass carefully. In half an hour 
they struck the pond, and then, knowing they were out ot danger, 




SPYING THE COURSE. 



i66 



THROUGH THE WILDS 



they gave three hearty cheers to vent the exuberance of their 
feeHngs. Keeping along in sight of the water, they soon reached 
the path, finding their basket and rods just as they had left 
them the day before. Here they rested a few moments, and while 
they were congratulating each other on " finding themselves," as 
Dick jocosely put it, they heard the report of a gun a short 
distance beyond, from the direction in which the path led. 




TO THE RESCUE. 



" That is somebody after us, you may depend," said George. 
" Fire one barrel of your gun, Fred." 

Pointing his gun in the air, the Parson pulled the trigger, 
and as the report and echo died away, they heard a second 
report from the same direction as the first. Picking up their 
loads once more, they started along the path towards the hotel, 
and in about fifteen minutes met the clerk and hostler of the 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



167 



hotel, who had been sent out to look them up. When they 
saw the venison, and the skin and head of the deer, their eyes 
opened wide with astonishment, and the clerk thought the boys 
rather smart to shoot a deer on their first trip away from the house. 
He felt relieved also that he had found the young- fellows so readily, 
and that they were to all appearances safe and uninjured. 










1 68 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



CHAPTER VI. 



RETURN TO THE HOTEL. OLD FRIENDS. CLIMBING TABLE ROCK. A 

PEEP AT THE SNOW CAVE. VIEWING THE PROFILE. A RAINY DAY. 

A GLANCE AT PULPIT ROCK. INSPECTING THE FLUME. THE 

LOWER AND UPPER CASCADE. 

HRISTOPHER COLUMBUS! I should like 
to know what has brought you out here at 
this time in the morning," said Dick jauntily, 
as the two parties stood eying each other. 

" You are pretty fellows to stay away all 
night and frighten everybody," said the clerk, 
addressing George as the eldest of the party ; 
" we thought you were lost." 
" Not exactly lost, but pretty near it," and George told him 
their story. 

" You've had good luck anyhow. That is the first deer that has 
been shot around here this season to my knowledge, and you have 
some trout beside." 

" Yes, sir, but I wish they were cooked. We are as hungry as bears." 
" Perfectly wolfish," added Dick. 

"Then the sooner we reach the house, the better for you;" and 
the clerk turned toward the hotel. " By the way," looking back at 
George and winking to him, " there were some friends of yours came 
to the house last night, and they seemed to feel very bad about your 
being lost." 




170 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

"Who are they?" asked George carelessly, although the gathering 
color in his face told his friends that he knew very well. 

" A party from Berlin. Said they met you there at the Cascade 
House. Marston drove them up." 

" How many are there in the party ? " inquired Ned. 

"Three gentlemen and their wives, and four young ladies." 

"That gives us a chance, Ned," said the Parson, punching his 
friend in the ribs. 

An hour more, and they had reached the hotel, but felt a little 
bashful when they found the piazza full of people. Miss Van Wyck 
and Miss Arden were among the number, and greeted them cordially, 
and then introduced them to their parents, also to Mr. and Mrs. 
Brown and their two daughters. Mr. Brown was a brother to Miss 
Arden's mother, and consequently the fair Grace and the two Miss 
Browns were cousins. Mr. Marston, who was among the party, 
greeted them cordially, and told them he was very glad they had 
returned safely. 

George then begged they would excuse his party, that they might 
attend to their toilet and get some breakfast, confessing that they 
stood sadly in need of the latter. 

" You are very excusable. Do go," said Miss Van Wyck, " you 
must be awful hungry." 

The boys retired to their rooms, changed their clothes and washed ; 
then repairing to the dining-room, ate such a breakfast that the cook 
was frightened, and she told the table-girl she hoped those fellows 
would not get lost again while they were at the Notch. 

When the boys had appeased their appetites, they adjourned to 
the piazza, and were soon relating their story to the young ladies, who, 
with the old people, were attentive listeners. 

Mr. Van Wyck complimented the boys highly on the faculty they 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



171 



had shown in findingr their way out of the woods, and the young 
ladies thouoht the whole affair very romantic, and probably wished 
they had been participants. 

After dinner the whole party walked to the Notch, and viewed the 
Profile and Pulpit Rock ; then the old folks returned to the hotel, 
while the young people climbed the mountain on the north side to 
Columnar Rock, 
and spent an hour 
in that vicinity very 
happily. Ned early 
showed a partiality 
for Maud, the elder 
Miss Brown, w^hile 
the Parson seemed 
quite contented to 
play cavalier to 
Miss Nellie, the 
younger, and this 
arrangement was 
very pleasant for 
the young people. 

The young la- 
dies, when leavinor 
the house, had expressed their intention of ascending to Table 
Rock, but after climbing up to Columnar Rock and scrambling 
back to the road, they concluded they were too tired to do any 
more sight-seeing until the next day. On their way back to the 
hotel Lucie informed George that she thought her folks would stop 
two weeks in the vicinity, and that they would visit the lakes in 
company with the boys ; all of which was delightful news to George, 




Ux\ iHL, CLlfiJb, JJIXVILLE NUiCu. 



172 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



and was received with pleasure by his three friends, when George 
told them. That evening the lads retired early, and Ned told the 
girls they were going to make up for the sleep they had lost the 
previous night. Just before dark Mr. Parsons started for Colebrook 
on some errand, and Dick asked him to take the skin and head of 
the deer, and wrote Norton a letter, in which he directed that the 
skin should be tanned and the head properly set up. 




W- 






y.^^<h. 












I'KOl'lLE, DIXVILLE NOTCH. 



The next morning when the boys came down, they found the 
young ladies on the piazza, all looking more or less disappointed. 
A glance around showed the reason. The Notch had vanished, or, in 
other words, was enshrouded in a mantle of heavy clouds, which were 
even then weeping fine mist. Before breakfast was over, a steady, 
drizzling rain had set in, and although the clouds lifted partially 
toward noon, the rain continued all day with an exasperating steadi- 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



^17, 



ness. The young people made the best of the situation, and between 
reading, conversation, and music, worried through the day. Thursday 
morninof was fine, and 
during the forenoon the 
whole party, young and 
old, made the ascent of 
Table Rock. The girls, 
as before, proved them- 
selves good climbers, 
although the young gen- 
tlemen found several op- 
portunities of rendering 
their fair companions 
assistance, which was 
accepted with becoming 
graciousness, accompa- 
nied by a fusillade of 
glances, that, as Ned 
roguishly asserted, " tore 
his heart to tatters." The 
Snow Cave was also 
visited by the party, and 
as they were quite mod- 
erate in their movements 
on account of the elder 
ladies, it was nearly noon 
when they returned to 
the hotel. 

The afternoon was passed at the house, most of it being devoted 
to croquet and lawn-tennis out of doors. In the evening, while they 




I'HE FLUME, DIXVILLE NOTCH. 



174 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



were gathered on the piazza, the elder people began speaking of the 
attractions of the Notch, and Mr. Arden declared that the scenery in 
the vicinity far surpassed, in alpine characteristics, anything he had 
seen in the White Mountain region. 

Friday morning the whole party visited the Flume, at the eastern 




DIX HOUSE, DIXVILLE NOTCH. 



end of the Notch, the path leading in from the end of the road. The 
young people took a luncheon with them, intending to visit the 
Huntington Cascades, and return over the mountain. After stopping 
an hour at the Flume the party separated, the elder gendemen telling 
the younger ones to look carefully after the young ladies, and not take 
them into any dangerous places. The old people returned to the hotel, 
the younger continuing on along the road through the Notch. Beyond 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



175 



the pass, on the left-hand side of the road, are the orraves of some 
former residents of the valley, with tombstones giving their names 
and ages. The young people visited this miniature cemetery, and 
their laughter was momentarily hushed while reading the inscriptions 
of those whose crumbling re- 
mains reposed below. 

Leaving the wayside graves 
the young people crossed to the 
other side of the road, and, 
passing through a charming 
grove of maples, reached Hunt- 
ington Falls, a series of cascades 
that come laughing and tum- 
bling down from the mountains 
above. 

After enjoying a short rest 
at the foot of the Lower Cas- 
cade, they commenced to follow 
the stream up, climbing along 
the right-hand bank. There 
being no path, this was a work 
of labor, bordering very nearly 
on danger ; for several times 
they came to places where the 
boys were put to their best 
judgment to get the girls over, but by careful perseverance they 
succeeded without accident. Having stopped to inspect the Upper 
Cascade, and several times to rest, it was one o'clock when they 
reached the top of the mountain. On the summit they discovered 
a pretty spot, where the stream was nothing but a tiny rivulet issuing 




LOWER CASCADE, DIXVILLE NOTCH. 



176 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



from a sparkling spring, surrounded by moss, under the shade of a 
large tree ; and here they took their lunch. Their hunger appeased, 

they made their way 
slowly over the moun- 
tain, and veering to- 
ward the edge of the 
pass, soon came in 
sight of the road be- 
low, along which a 
carriage was passing. 
Dick called the atten- 
tion of the others to 
the horses, which ap- 
peared no larger than 
rats. Following on un- 
til they came to Pro- 
file Cliff, they tried 
from the top to trace some 
resemblance to the huge 
stone face, serious and 
solemn, that looked down 
upon them when they had 
stood in the road. But they 
could not discern a single fea- 
ture, and after fifteen minutes 
delay here they continued their course. 
In some places the top of the moun- 

UPPER CASCADE, DIXVILL. NOTCH. ^^j^^ ^^^ ^^jjj^^ ^^^j, ^^^ ^^^^^^j ^^^_ 

dred feet, and they were obliged to make long detours to avoid these 
chasms. Not unfrequently, also, they found some deep holes among 




THROUGH THE WILDS. 177 

the uneven rocks forming the surface, and they had several narrow 
escapes from dropping- into them. But the boys watched sharply, 
and thoroughly inspected every foot of the way, and they reached 
Table Rock without mishap, and descending to the road at this point, 
were soon at the hotel. It was five o'clock when the party reached 
the house, and they were all quite tired. The girls went up to their 
rooms to obtain a little rest before supper, and the boys turned into 
their hammocks for the same purpose. 

Saturday, the young fellows, accompanied by the older gentlemen, 
went over to the pond for a day's fishing. They returned at night 
with over two hundred trout, well satisfied with their sport. During 
the evening it was arranged between the two parties that on Monday 
they would leave the Dix House, drive to Errol Dam, and take the 
steamer on the Androscoggin. Sunday was a day of rest with all, 
and a few short walks near the house was all the recreation they had 
out-doors. In the evening all the guests gathered in the parlor and 
had a praise meeting, and the music was enjoyed by all. 

Monday morning Mr. Parsons had three teams harnessed and 
driven to the door. The large mountain wagon was occupied by the 
young folks, a smaller one by the old people, and the third vehicle was 
filled by the baggage. The moment the party were seated, the drivers 
started their horses, and the wagon containing the young folks took 
the lead. They had their last view of the crumbling cliffs, now wear- 
ing a familiar look, as they passed through the Notch, and were soon 
beyond its rocky portal, and out on the Clear Stream Meadows. Here 
there had once been a farm ; but the former tillers of the soil had 
either died or moved away, and the cleared fields were fast returning 
to their original state of wilderness. Beyond the clearing they entered 
a piece of woods, and while passing through this forest, George called 
the attention of the girls to an eagle that stood poised on the edge of 



178 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

its nest, on a ragged limb, at the top of a high yellow birch standing 
on the side of the mountain. 

"That is a bald eagle," observed the driver, "and a big one too, 
by mighty." 

" I wish we were near enough to get a shot at him," remarked 
Dick. 

"You will see plenty of them over on Umbagog," said the driver, 
" and probably you will get within reach of one of them." 

Along their route the houses were widely scattered, and most of 
the farms showed evidence of having been reclaimed from the forest 

but a few years. Some were noth- 
ing but shanties built of odds and 
ends, old boards, poles, sawed and 
hewn timber all enterino- into their 
construction, while others were built 
of logs, mostly cut on or near the 
spot where the cabins stood. This 
primitive architecture greatly inter- 

THE EAGLE'S NEST. 

ested the young people, and they 
asked the driver many questions in regard to their construction. 
One especially attracted their attention, from the fact of a bear's 
skin being stretched upon it to dry, and turned the conversation 
on bears. 

" Are there many about here, driver?" asked Miss Van Wyck. 

" The woods are full of 'em." 

At this startling announcement, which the girls took literally, 
they turned pale and looked somewhat alarmed, no doubt expecting 
to see some monstrous Bruin rush from the forest each moment 
and attack them. The boys, however, winked at each other and 
smiled. 




THROUGH THE WILDS. 



179 



" We did not see one while in the woods," dryly remarked George. 
" I guess this is not the right time of year for them." 

" They generally keep out of a man's way when they can," declared 
the driver; " but all the farmers about here have lost sheep by bears 



killing them." 



" Now, upon your word of honor," questioned Ned seriously, " did 




ALONG CLEAR STREAM. 



you ever know of one single bear being killed anywhere in this section 
of the country ? " 

" Did I ? " returned the driver with an indignant look, and as a 
salve to his feelings, which were hurt by Ned's question, bringing his 
whip-lash down on the off leader's ear, on which a large moose-fly 
was feeding, and sending the fly to Jerico ; " did I ? Well, I should 
rather say I did." 



l8o THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" Tell us about it," urged Miss Arden. 

" Why, a year ago, yes, less, only last November, the biggest black 
bear I ever heard of was started up, right here in this township, 
through which we are now driving, Millsfield, by a fellow who fol- 
lowed it all day, and tracked it into Errol. The next day he made 
up his mind that he would not follow Bruin any longer, and sold his 
chance in the animal to a fellow down there for a quarter. The second 
man, with his rifle and a box of cartridges, started after the bear, 
found the trail, and followed it. The animal had left an awful big 
track, and the fellow made up his mind that it was a Jumbo, and 
determined to have it. He followed the track about half an hour, and 
then came to a place where there was a lot of windfalls tumbled over. 
By the tracks in the snow, he knew that the bear had climbed over the 
tree trunks, and as it was hard getting around them or through them, 
he went the same way. He climbed across the trees, and reaching the 
last jumped down into a little hollow, and the bear reared up in front 
of him. The fellow was frightened just about to death, and he told 
Bill Bragg afterwards, he could feel his hair standing right up straight, 
and lifting his hat off his head. He knew he was in a tight place, and 
just as the bear, with an awful growl, was going to freeze to him, 
he lifted the rifle and pulled the trigger. And he was so near that 
the muzzle of the piece touched the bear when he fired. I tell you, 
'twas a close call." 

" Did he kill him?" asked George, breaking in. 

" Yes. He happened to make a lucky shot, and killed him 
instantly. Couldn't done it hardly once in a hundred times. Then 
he skun him, and carried the hide to the hotel, and raised some help, 
and they went back and cut the bear up, and brought the meat out. 
The hunter made a good thing out of it too. For he got a bounty 
from the State of fifteen dollars for killing the bear, and he sold the 




HKAR I"IGHr 



I82 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



skin to a man for twenty-five dollars, and then he sold the fat — there 
was a big washtub full of it — and two quarters of the meat for ten 
dollars more, so that he raked in about fifty dollars out of that bear's 
hide." 

" I should have thought the other fellow would have been mad," 
observed the Parson. 




KRKOL DAM (ibbo) 



" He was the sickest man you ever saw," chuckled the driver, " to 
think he had sold his right to that bear for a quarter." 

" I hope we shall get a shot at one before we go home," said Dick. 

" Hope you will," echoed the driver. " I should like to be around 
when you first saw the bear," and he laughed as if the idea suggested 
something funny to him. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 83 

The road along which they travelled was in good condition, and 
nearly level the greater part of the distance. On both sides were high 
mountains, that receded a little as they neared Errol, but the Clear 
Stream flowed merrily along but a short distance from the road, and 
often made a prominent feature of the landscape, which taken in its 
entirety the whole party declared charming. About eleven o'clock 
they came in sight of the Androscoggin and Bragg's Hotel. Just 
before reaching the covered bridge across the river, they had passed 
two roads, and the driver, being questioned by Dick about them, had 
told him that the one on the right followed the river down to Berlin, 
and that on the left led up to Errol Dam and the steamboat landing. 
A tew minutes later, they had crossed the bridge, and were standing 
on the hotel piazza, awaiting the older members of the party. They 
were only fifteen minutes behind, but the baggage wagon did not arrive 
for an hour. 

The landlord, a fat, jolly appearing fellow, stood in the doorway, 
and welcomed them heartily, and when asked if they could have dinner, 
remarked with a laugh, " that he guessed he could find a few crumbs 
for them." 

Mr. Van Wyck told the landlord that they should leave all their 
baggage with him, except a few absolutely necessary articles, which 
they should take in hand-bags, while they made the tour of the lakes. 
He also wrote Mr. Marston, at Berlin, to send up a team for them 
the following Monday, as they would return that way. and after stop- 
ping with him a few days, make a trip through the mountains. The 
boys also arranged to leave their things in Mr. Bragg's care, until they 
went up the Magalloway on their camping trip. 

After dinner they sat out on the piazza, and enjoyed the cool 
breeze, for the day was hot. The view from the house was quite 
pretty, taking in a long stretch of the river to the east. Behind the 



1 84 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



house the river enlarged to a pond known as Bragg's Bay, then nar- 
rowed up again, and ran smooth and silent for some miles beyond, 
until it was again broken up by flashing rapids. 

Mr. Bragg notified his guests that they must leave his house by 
three o'clock to hit the steamer, and at that hour he harnessed a pair 

of horses to a 
three-seated wag- 
on, and drove the 
ladies over to the 
landing, the gen- 
tlemen preferring 
to walk, as it was 
only a mile distant 
over a good road. 
When the boys 
reached the land- 
ing the steamer 
was just coming 
in siofht. She was 
a larger boat than 
they had expected 
to see. 

" They are run- 
ning the large 
steamer," said the landlord ; " something must be the matter with the 
small one." 

" Is there business for such a boat as that here ? " asked Mr. Arden, 
turning to the landlord. 

" Well, no, there ain't. They use that mostly in the spring for 
towing logs. It don't pay to run it for passengers." 




THE STEAMER DIAMOND. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



185 



The steamer swept by them on the opposite side of the river, then 
made a sharp turn and came in where they stood, bow up stream. 
There were six passengers on board, — two ladies and four gentlemen. 

"That's a pretty good landing for you, Cap'n," laughed Mr. Bragg, 
as a young man came out of the wheel-house and descended by a 
ladder to the deck. 

" Yes, it will do. Catch this bow-line, will you ? " and the captain 
threw a coil of rope, which 
settled over the jolly 
landlord's head like a 
lasso. 

"What shall I do with 
it ? " queried the landlord, 
as he cleared the coil 
from his head. 

" Make it fast to that 
stake behind you ; or if 
you prefer," he replied, 
with an after-thouo-ht, 
" you can stand and hold 
it." 

"No, I guess I will hitch it. Where's the small steamer?" 

" Down the lake. Any passengers to go ? " 

" Yes ; don't you see the crowd I've brought ? " 

" I didn't know but what they came over just to see the boat. Two 
fellows came down with us who are going to Colebrook to-night. Can 
you put them through ? " 

" Yes, if Parsons don't want to carry them. He brought these 
people to my house, and has not started back yet." 

" Will he wait till you return ? " 







MAKING A LANDING. 



1 86 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



"Yes, he agreed to. But what's the matter with the Httle boat?" 
" The shaft is loose. We are going to fix it to-night ; " and the 
captain turned away, and helped the engineer, the two comprising the 
whole crew, to bring off some trunks, and carry on the baggage for 
the boys and their friends, which they had cut down to a few light 
valises and their rods and guns. 

The two gentlemen who had left the boat bade the captain good-by, 
and waved their handkerchiefs to the other passengers, as the steamer 
with a grim whistle swung out from the bank, and glided up the 
stream. 




THROUGH 2HE WILDS 



CHAPTER VII. 

A TOUR THROUGH THE LAKES. UMBAGOG. — MIDDLE DAM. LAKE WE- 

LOKENNBACOOK. MOLECHUNKAMUNK. THE UPPER DAM. MOOSE- 

LUCMEGUNTIC LAKE. CUPSUPTIC. INDIAN ROCK. OQUOSSOC LAKE. 

RANGELEY VILLAGE. HAINEs' LANDING. ASCENT OF BALD MOUN- 
TAIN. RETURN TO UPPER DAM. 

HEN the steamer was well away from the landing the 
party broke up and began to scatter about the boat ; 
the older people going into the cabin where it was 
shady and cool, and the younger ones ascending to 
the hurricane deck, by a stairway leading from the after- 
part of the boat. From the upper deck they had a 
splendid view of the river, and after looking about them a few minutes 
they passed along to the wheel-house, the doors of which were open. 
This captain, a pleasant young man, dressed in a neat blue navy uni- 
form, intimated that they might enter if they chose, and the young 
ladies availed themselves of the invitation, while the boys stood at 
the doors and kept up a running conversation with their fair friends 
and the captain. 

" Where are we going now, captain ?" questioned Miss Arden. 
" Over to Sunday Cove." 

" And where is that ? " chimed in Miss Van Wyck. 
" At the extreme upper end of the lake. It is where we connect 
with the buckboard for the Angler's Retreat and Middle Dam." 
" How far is it ?" asked Miss Nellie Brown. 




1 88 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

"Ten miles from where you took the boat. Six up the river, and 
four across the lake to the landing." 

" What time will you get there ? " queried George. 

" Half-past four. Then you have five miles to travel before reach- 
ing the Angler's Retreat." 

" Did you receive a note from me, asking you to have the buck- 
board meet us at Sunday Cove ? " 

"I received a note from somebody. It was signed George Howe. 
Are you the gentleman ? " 

" Yes ; and did you order the buckboard ? " 

" I did. It will be there probably before we are." 

" Will it wait ? " asked Maud anxiously. 

" Certainly, miss." 

" Is not this a large boat for two of you to run?" queried Dick, 
whose eyes had been roving from one end to the other of the steamer. 

" Yes. It needs another man on her. But we seldom run her for 
passengers. We shall have the little boat on to-morrow, and two men 
can handle her like a fly. I have run her alone in an emergency." 

" How many will she carry?" inquired Ned. 

" Twenty comfortably, thirty with a little crowding. The company 
has another boat the same size on the Richardson Lakes, and when I 
was engineer on it, we carried forty-five one trip." 

"The scenery is beautiful along this river, and how crooked it is," 
remarked Lucie. 

" Yes, it is lovely," returned the captain, "but this river is not half 
so crooked as the Magalloway. There is one place on that where we 
have to run south to get north." 

" How funny ! " observed Grace, and they all laughed. " Do we 
go on it, captain ? " 

" Not to-day. We are going directly to the Cove. But we shall 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 189 

pass it. It empties into this river on the left-hand side, two miles 
below the outlet of the lake." 

" You will take the trip up there when we come back," remarked 
George to the girls. 

" Excuse my curiosity, but would you kindly inform me what those 
letters on your cap signify ? " asked Nellie, who for the past ten 
minutes had been studying the captain's cap. 

"They stand for the name of the company who own the steamers," 
answered the captain with a smile. 

" And that is " — 

"The Androscoggin Lakes Transportation Company." 

" A long name," declared Dick. " I don't wonder they abbreviate 
it." 

" Yes, it's long as the State liquor law," returned the captain. 

"Do they own both the steamers on this lake?" inquired the 
Parson. 

" Yes, and the two on the Richardson Lakes ; and next winter 
they are going to build a boat to run on the Upper Magalloway." 

" Is this the first boat that ever run here ? " 

" No. There were two before this. The Andrew Johnson and the 
Union. The Union was the pioneer steamer, and was nothing but an 
old scow with a wheel behind, and an upright boiler and engine in 
her. She would not make over four miles an hour. There is a 
picture, taken while she was steaming up the Magalloway," and the 
captain pointed to one side of the wheel-house. 

The sketch so interested the Parson that he made a copy of it to 
take home with him. 

"This is the prettiest sail I have ever taken," asserted Grace. 
"Just look, girls, at those reflections in the water. Aren't they 
splendid ? " 



190 



THROUGH THE WJLDS. 



"Just too lovely for anything!" declared Maud, who was apt to 
gush occasionally. 

But the river deserved all the praise showered upon it. The wind 
had completely died away, leaving the surface of the water perfectly 
smooth, which reflected every tree and limb, every leaf and fern and 
blade of grass, that decorated and fringed its borders. It was like 











THE OLD UNION : FIRST STEAMER EVER RUN ON ANDROSCOGGIN LAKES. 



roaming through Paradise, floating over this mirrored stream, cut out 
of the densely wooded forests. The trees were of all varieties, in 
different stages of growth, many overhanging the banks of the river 
in graceful attitudes, and viewing themselves in the polished surface 
below them, like a society belle at her glass in self-worship, before 
attending a ball ; some of the trees had long trailing moss hanging 
from their branches, suggesting the appearance of venerable Druids ; 
others had been partially killed by the freshets of the spring and fall 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



191 



|Ap&i'r|Vi^'^ 



that covered their roots, and now appeared like paralytics, one side 
green and smiling, the other withering and dead ; along the river 
banks, ofttimes at the very water's edge, wild flowers, ferns, and tufted 
grasses, also bushes bearing handsome berries of various colors, modestly 
asserted the charm of their presence, and all united to make up an inde- 
scribable spell, the effects of which were not destroyed in a moment. 

As the steamer approached a sharp bend in the river, the captain 
rang the bell, and the boat began to move slower. 

"What is that for?" inquired George. 

" Shoal and rocky. That point on the left ahead is Quickwater 
Point. It is the shallowest place in the river, and a rocky bar runs 
clear across the river 
there. When the water 
is low we generally slow 
down here, so that if we" 
should touch bottom 
the boat would not be 
injured." 

The dangerous place 
was soon passed, and the steamer increased her speed again, and 
puffed and panted more vigorously than ever. 

A short distance beyond they passed the mouth of the Magalloway 
River, and just as they shot by it they were treated to a laughable 
sight. A rowboat containing four men was drawn up beside the bank, 
and one of them, who had on long-legged rubber boots, stepped out- 
side of the boat on a rock, the water reaching about to his knees. As 
the steamer passed he turned to watch it, but his feet slipped off the 
rock, and in he went all over, to his own discomfiture no doubt, but 
to the evident enjoyment of his companions, whose faces assumed a 
broad grin, while the passengers on the steamer laughed in sympathy. 




QUICKWATER POINT. 



192 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



"That fellow has taken a bath," observed George, when he could 
stop laughing long enough to speak. 

" Yes, he was sprawled out like a frog," remarked the captain, and 
laughingly added, " he will find that is wet water he has fallen into." 

" Is he in any danger ?" inquired Lucie. 

" Not a bit," said Dick. " Don't you see, he has hold of the boat, 
and they are pulling him in." 

" That is the biggest fish they will catch this trip," and the captain 
threw the wheel to port, as the steamer turned another bend in the 
river. 

The boat had now reached a part of the stream where the water- 
lilies grew in great abundance, close in to the banks of the river. In 
fact, the water was carpeted with them on each side for two miles, and 
the air was full of their fragrance. 

A delighted scream broke from the girls as they saw them. 

" Oh, what lovely lilies ! " 

" Aren't they fragrant ! " 

" Can't we get some ? " 

" Oh, how beautiful ! " and similar exclamations were quickly 
uttered, and they looked with such wistful eyes at the watery flower- 
bed, that the captain would have been very ungallant had he not 
taken the hint. 

Giving the steamer a slant towards the starboard bank of the river, 
he rang the bell to stop ; the engineer responded, and the boat ranged 
up alongside the lilies. 

" Get a pail-full of those lilies, York," sang out the captain. 

" All right, sir," and the engineer went to the starboard gangway, 
turned up his shirt-sleeves, and quickly gathered a water-pail full of 
the beautiful blossoms. The boys, who had gone down to pick a few 
for themselves, found there was no necessity for it, the engineer had 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



193 



obtained so many ; and thanking him kindly, they carried the pail to 
the wheel-house, and the young ladies made the flowers up into 
bunches. 

The captain rang the bell to " go ahead slow," then for " full 
speed," and again they were turning and twisting along the river. 
The young ladies were profuse in their thanks for his kindness in 
stopping the steamer, and he told them they were welcome. 




EAGLE POINT, MOUTH OF SUNDAY COVE. 



They had now 
reached a part of the 
river banks which for 
years had been over- 
flowed at high water, 
killing nearl)- all the trees, and robbing them of their foliage, and 
beyond these the lake was seen, stretching off on either hand to 
the north and south. The dead forests gave a romantic appearance 
to the scene near them. The trees were of all kinds, sizes, and 
shapes ; some shooting straight into the air. as naked as a vessel's 
spars when they are first set up ; others branching out like huge 
umbrellas, knotted and gnarled ; some merely barren stumps, and 



194 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Others, whose roots were partially uncovered, leaning over at every 
conceivable angle. Sailing through here in the spring at high water, 
is like navigating a submerged forest ; but now the water had fallen, 
until it was inside the river banks in all but a few places. As the 



steamer glided on, the captain 
called the Richardson 
stumps had been cut 



showed them a channel 
Carry, where the 
out, and where in high 
water they could run 
the boat across, there- 
by saving a couple of 
miles on the distance 
to Sunday Cove. As the 
steamer approached the 
lake they scanned the scen- 
ery closely, and all thought 
they had never beheld a 
prettier view than that off 
to the south-east, where towered 
a number of large mountains, 
Saddleback and Speckled being 
the most prominent. As the boat ran 
out into the lake, leaving the marshy 
AziscoHos MOUNTAIN FROM LAKE outlet behind, they found themselves 

UMBAGOG. 

literally surrounded by mountains, en- 
closing the lake on every hand. Peaks of all shapes and heights in 
the foreground, from the round- topped Moose Mountain to the wedge- 
shaped Dustan, while in the background to the north, the large double 
peaks of Aziscohos rose above all others in that direction, and in the 
south the three gigantic peaks of the White Mountains, Washington, 
Jefferson, and Adams, loomed grandly up, cleaving the blue sky with 
their white crests. 





A FISHERMAN'S SPOILS, MIDDLE DAM. 



196 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" What a splendid view we have of the White Mountains from 
here ! " remarked Grace. 

" Lovely," echoed Lucie. 

" We have a finer view of the White Mountains from this lake than 
from any other in the chain," added the captain. 

" How far off do you suppose they are in an air line, Captain?" 
queried Ned. 

" From what I know of the country, I should say about forty miles. 
You see that sharp-peaked mountain in the north-west," indicating 
Dustan, " it stands behind the Magalloway River. The sag you see in 
the land along there is the valley, and our landing is nearly opposite 
that mountain." 

"Mount Dustan does not look to be very far from here," said Dick. 

" About eight or ten miles as the crow flies. But the way we go 
on the steamer, it is double that distance." 

The boat was now heading off to the right, and the captain showed 
them Sunday Cove, and said it was just a mile from Eagle Point at 
the mouth, to the landing at the end of the cove. 

The young people now went below and paid a visit to those in the 
cabin. 

" How do you like it, Mr. Van Wyck?" asked George, addressing 
his elderly friend, who was comfortably reclining on a settee, and 
watching the panorama through the open windows. 

" Very much. The sail on the river was fine. Talk about the 
St. John River in Florida, it don't begin to have the beauty of the 
Androscoggin." 

"And the captain says the Magalloway is prettier," chimed in 
Lucie. 

" Then we must certainly visit it when we return. The sail across 
this lake is delightful too. I should like to see the whole of it." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 1 97 

" Perhaps you can when we return," remarked George. 

The steamer now sounded a long blast from her whistle, and they 
could see they were leaving the main body of the lake rapidly behind. 

"We are almost at the landing," observed Ned, "and we shall 
soon have a chance to earn our supper." 

" Five miles is not much of a walk," said Dick. 

" It may not be for you, young gentleman," put in Mr. Arden 
dryly, " but I guess it is all we old fellows care to take." 

" I am going to walk part of the way, father," said Miss Van 
Wyck ; "in fact, we girls will have to, for the team will not carry but 
five besides the driver." 

" Then you can take turns at riding." 

The boat in a few moments more was at the landing, which con- 
sisted of a huge sloping ledge furnished by Nature. This shelved 
away from the water so sharply that the guard of the steamer lapped 
over it, and from the forward gangway they were enabled to step 
directly on shore without need of a gang-plank. A very convenient 
landing, as Mr. Arden remarked. The team was just coming down a 
steep pitch, that terminated in a few feet of level ground. 

" Come, come, Mr. Brooks, this won't do," said the captain 
jokingly, as the driver jumped off the team, " you must get along 
earlier than this." 

" I'm here soon as you are." 

"We've been here half an hour," said the captain, laughing. 

" In a horn you have," retorted the driver, " you haven't got the 
boat hitched up yet. There's York just tying the stern line now." 

" He's only changing it from that rock to a stump." 

" Perhaps he is. That's a little too thin. Any trunks ? " sotto voce. 

" No. Nothing but grips." 

" Sensible people. Where are they going ? " 



198 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" I don't know. Up the lake somewhere." 

"The baggage is all off. Captain," reported the engineer. 

^* Well, we must wood up," and the captain turned away, and with 
the engineer directly busied himself in carrying on wood from a pile 
near the boat. 

The driver now turned his team and buck-board, and began 
loading the baggage, the smallest pieces being put in boxes under the 




CAMPING OUT ON MIDDLE DAM CARRY. 



seats, while the larger valises were tied on the hind part of the vehicle 
with ropes. 

" We may as well start along," proposed Mr. Van Wyck to his 
friends, " and leave the boys to take care of the ladies and the bag- 
gage." And the three gentlemen, after inquiring about the road, began 
climbing the hill before them. 

Meanwhile the wagon was loaded. That is to say, the baggage was 



200 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

put on, and the elder ladies helped to seats. But the girls objected 
when asked to ride, saying they would much rather walk. Accordingly, 
when the driver was ready, the young people started ahead, laughing 
and joking, and talking over the events of the clay. There had been 
no rain in the locality for nearly a month, and the young folks found it 
very comfortable walking. The road ran through a heavy forest all the 
way, and it was much warmer than it had been out on the lake. They 
had several fine views of a river on their way, to the right, and the 
driver informed them it was the connecting link between the two lakes, 
and was known as Rapid River. 

A little more than half-way to the hotel they stopped for a few 
moments to rest, at a neat building, known as the Oxford Club Camp, 
pleasantly located beside the river. Not more than quarter of a 
mile beyond they passed another small camp, with its name, "Forest 
Lodge," painted on the side next the road. From the piazza of this 
little building they had a long view up the river, and the young 
people pronounced it charming. The Parson declared his intention 
of making a sketch there when they returned. 

Soon after leaving Forest Lodge they caught up with the three 
gentlemen, and they continued their way together. Mr. Van Wyck 
asked the girls if they were not tired, and they all declared they were 
feeling splendid, and enjoying the walk very much. Within a quar- 
ter of a mile of the hotel, they passed the camp of a party of fishermen, 
who they afterwards learned were from Connecticut. The camp was 
deserted, with the exception of the cook and two guides, the mem- 
bers of the party being out fishing at some of the places near. It was 
seven o'clock when they reached the Angler's Retreat, they having 
walked across the carry in a little over two hours. The team came in 
directly behind them. There were only six guests at the house that night, 
and they had no difficulty in getting rooms. They were all very hungry, 



THROUGH THE WJLDS. 



20I 



and. after attending- to their toilets, descended to the dining-room and 
had a good supper, to which they chd ample justice. After appeasing- 
their hunger, they rested a while on the piazza, and all retired early. 

The next morning the boys were up at five o'clock, and going over 
to the dam, caught half a dozen nice trout for breakfast. Just as they 




ANU1.ER-.S RETREAT, MIDDLE DAM, LAKE WELOKENNEBACOOK. 

Stepped upon the piazza, the girls made their appearance, and were 
delighted with the fish, one that weighed three pounds being the 
largest brook trout they had ever seen. 

" Who caup-ht the laree one?" asked Lucie. 

" Fred was the lucky fellow," answered George, and the boys 
passed along to the kitchen, and asked the cook to fry the fish for 
their breakfast. 




A MIDDLE DAM TROUT. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



203 



Returning to the girls, they invited them to inspect the old camp, 
and take a look at the dam before breakfast. The young ladies were 
quite willing to accept the invitation, and they started at once, the 
Parson leading the way. 

George, who had become intimate with the contents of the guide- 
book, gave them considerable information about the old house, and 
the palmy days of the fishermen, before they were bothered by the 

appearance of ladies at 
I ^^^^^^^ the lakes, and also gave 

them some interesting 
facts about the dam, its 
cost, the time required 
to build it, etc. After 
viewinof the dam from 

<_> 

each side of the outlet, 
they returned to the 
'^'^'^'^'^ ""^ house and found break- 

fast ready, and the elder people awaiting 
them. At eight o'clock they embarked on 
the steamer Welokennebacook, named after 
the lake they were on. A smaller boat, the 
Molechunkamunk, lay at the wharf, which 
the captain informed them was named after 
the lake above the Narrows. The boat was about to start when they 
noticed some one runninof from the Middle Dam, swinofinQ: his hat 
and shouting. A nearer approach showed it to be the Parson, who 
had been over there making a sketch of the dam, and who had not 
realized that it was time for the steamer to leave. This dam and 
the others of the chain have since been rebuilt. 

" You came near being left, young man." said the captain pleas- 





THE OLD MIDDLE DAM. 



204 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



antly, as Fred, almost breathless, jumped on the steamer, while she 
was backing out from the wharf. 

" Yes, but a miss is as good as a mile." 

The boat made a half-circle, then the engines were reversed, and 
the swift little steamer shot ahead, the captain laying his course for 
the Narrows. 

It was a lovely morning, with just breeze enough to ripple the water, 
and the whole party expressed them- 
selves delighted with the scene 
around them. From the foot of the 
Narrows they had a fine view of the 
White Mountains, but not so com- 
plete as that from Umbagog. 
Speckled and Saddleback Mountains 
in Grafton Notch also formed a prom- 
inent and pleasing feature of the land- 
scape, and between Jackson Point and the 
Narrows the Parson made a sketch of 
the lake and mountains. At the foot 
of the Narrows they saw two loons, and 
for fifteen minutes the boys bombarded 
them, without any result beside wasting cartridges. Occasionally, 
one of the loons would dive, and when he reappeared, give utterance 
to a mocking cry, and the girls declared the loons were making fun 
of the marksmen. 

" Are there many loons shot on the lake ? " inquired Lucie of the 
captain. 

" I should say not. From what I can judge from observation, I 
think it takes about one thousand shots for every dead loon. They 
have a way of diving at the flash of a gun, which makes it difficult to 




OLD MIDDLE DAM CAMP. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



'■05 



kill them. Yet there are times when one is shot at the first trial, and 
the funniest loon story I ever read or heard is given in the ' Andros- 



coorcrin Lakes Illustrated.' " 
00 



The strait or sound known as the Narrows, through which the 
steamer was passing, is two miles long, and from an eighth of a mile 
to a mile wide. Before the building of the new Middle Dam, a natural 
wall of rocks that extended along the north shore was always in sight 




LAKE WEl.OKENNEBACOOK FROM ANGLER'S RETREAT. 

at a medium or low stage of the water, but the building of the new 
dam. since the date of this story, has changed the appearance of the 
two Richardson Lakes very much, and in some places completely 
blotted out the old landmarks. 

Near the head of the Narrows the captain pointed out Metallak 
Point on the right, with its beautiful sandy beach, telling them it was 
named for an Indian who once lived on it. As they came out into the 
upper lake the Parson made a sketch of it. The lake opened hand- 
somely, stretching away toward the north-west for eight miles, the 



206 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 




shore line being bow-shaped. Several camps and many high moun- 
tains now came into view, and the captain was kept busy, by different 
members of the party, answering questions about what they saw. The 
boat was bound for the head of the lake, and this gave the party an 
opportunity of seeing more than they otherwise would. A handsome 
summer cottage near where the steamer made a landing, the captain 
informed them belonged to a wealthy Boston gentleman, and was very 
appropriately named after 
the white birches by which 
it was surrounded. Birch 
Lodofe. It commanded a 
fine view down the lake, ^ 
and also of the highest 
mountain in the lake region, ^ 
Aziscohos, and its near pi 
neighbor, Observatory. m 

Leaving Birch Lodge the V 
steamer ran down on the 
opposite side of the lake, 
giving them a fine view of 
the range of mountains to 
the east, known as the 
Elephant Mountain range. The steamer had run but a short dis- 
tance when they noticed a boat containing a lady and gentleman 
close in by the shore; near them towered an old dead pine, on top 
of which was a heron's nest, but the bird was not to be seen. Just 
below here, they passed the mouth of a brook where some parties had 
gone for fishing, two boats being in sight. Farther down they passed 
on the left, a barren point, showing marks of fire, on which stood a 
small, neat cottage, belonging to another visiting sportsman. A short 




LAKE MOLKCHUNKAMUNK FROM 
METALLAK POINT. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



207 



distance below they reached the stream, through which flowed the 
waters of the upper lal<es. Gliding swiftly by this they soon came in 
sight of Camp Bellevue, a cluster of log and frame buildings, belonging 
to a party of Philadelphia gentlemen, who, with their families, spend a 
large part of the summer in this beautiful spot. While the boat was 
passing this camp, the captain rang to " slow down." and a minute later 

to " stop," and the steamer 
glided gently alongside the 
wharf at the Upper Dam 
landing. From this point 
the party obtained two very 
fine views, one up, and the 
other down, the lake. 

The captain told them 
the Oquossoc, on which 
they were to take passage 
for Indian Rock, was not 
in, and they waited on the 
steamer while the Parson 
made some sketches. Just 
as he put up his book and 
pencil, the other boat whis- 
tled, and they walked across 
the road to the Upper Dam, about an eighth of a mile distant. 
They found the steamboat fastened to a little pier above the dam, 
and asked the captain what time it left for Indian Rock. He answered 
about half-past three, but that he would leave in a few minutes for 
Bemis Stream. As the party did not care to make so long a wait at 
the Upper Dam, the boys coaxed the captain to take them to Indian 
Rock ; and this after a little argument he consented to do, and he 




VIEW DOWN LAKE MOEECHUNKAMUNK 
FROM BIRCH LODGE. 



208 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 




^1^1 



» .i&si 



informed George he would start in half an hour. Mr. Van Wyck told 
him they would take a look at the dam and buildings, and if they were 
not at the boat when he was ready to leave, to whistle for them, and 
they would come at once. 

The half-hour was pleasantly occupied in an inspection of the dam 
and hotel, and reading up on the subject from their guide-books. The 
Parson, who became more enthusiastic 
over the country with each day of his 
sojourn, sketched away as if working on 
a wager, catching a view down the river 
from the middle of the dam, with a 
fisherman in the foreground, on one of 
the piers, making a very pretty picture. 
In one of the camps he found a pho- 
tograph of the large trout taken at the 
dam the year before by two Boston 
gentlemen, and made a copy of it. The 
boys fell into conversation with a fellow 
who was fishing near the dam, and he 
gave them a great deal of information 
about the trout fishing, also told them 
of the lumber operations conducted in 
the vast territory around them, intimating that if they wished to see 
one of the most interesting sights of the region, they should be there 
during the month of June, and watch the bateaux and the logs run 
through the sluice of the dam. A very interesting account of this 
exciting business is given in Farrar's " Androscoggin Lakes 
Illustrated." 

A whistle from the little steamer now warned them it was time to 
leave, and hastening to the boat they embarked. The steamer quickly 





1 H I 1 1 1 K* ) A ^ IN kft 1 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



209 



brought them in sight of the lake proper, about a mile from the 
landing. As the boat passed out of Trout Cove they had Brandy 
Point on their left, the two largest islands in the lake, known as 
Student's and Toothaker's, in front of them, and Bemis Bay and 
stream off to the right. Across the lake they could see Bald Moun- 
tain, a rugged, round-topped peak, descending to the water's edge, 




BROOK FISHING, LAKE MOLECHUNKAMUNK. 



and at its base Camp Allerton nestled among the trees. To the left 
of Camp Allerton, Richardson's Hotel at Haines's Landing stood out 
with prominence, and near it were two smaller camps owned by 
l^rivate parties. Far in the north were the Deer and Kennebago 
Mountains, the former sloping gradually down to Cupsuptic Lake. 

The day was lovely, the sky so clear they could see a long distance, 
and the sail was very enjoyable. When they passed through Cup- 



2IO 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



suptic Narrows, the captain pointed out the camp of Hon. William 

P. Frye, charmingly located upon Eagle Point. Here the well-known 

and talented senator retires for a few weeks each season, shaking off 

for the nonce the harassing cares of public business, and devoting the 

time to rest from his labors, and to angling for the wary trout, and 

returns to Congress a new 

man, and abundantly able to 

wrestle with the Tariff and 

Civil Service Reform. Dame 

Rumor says that the senator 

is an expert angler, and as he 

has been a devotee at the 

shrine of the trout for many 

years, we have no doubt she 

is correct. His wife often 

accompanies him on these 

fishing excursions, and any 

one who has been fortunate 

enough to have accepted 

their hospitality when this 

charming and estimable lady 

was present to do the 

honors of the camp, will be sure to treasure it as one of the brightest 

hours in their lives. 

Swinging away from Eagle Point, the steamer turned up the 
narrow river forming the outlet of Kennebago and Oquossoc Lakes, 
and was soon at the wharf in front of the Indian Rock Camps. Here 
is the junction of the two streams flowing from the lakes mentioned 
above ; Indian Rock, from which the locality derives its name, is a 
flat ledge on the right bank of the river, opposite the steamboat land- 




AZISCOIiOS iMUUNTAIN FROM UPPER DAM LANDING. 



THROUGH THE W/LDS. 



211 



\n^, and is neithc^r romantic nor sugirestivc. The building-s of the; 
( )(juossoc An^'Iino^ Association are on the left-hand bank of the river, 
j)rettily situated on high ground, a few rods from the water. Toward 
these the party directed their steps, and finding the superintendent, 
were invited to look the buikhngs over, which they did. 

George made some inquiries about dinner, and learned that only 
the members of the club and their friends were entertained there. 

The superintendent 
informed them that 
they could procure 
dinner at the hotel 
near the foot of 
Oquossoc Lake, 
about two miles 
distant, and di- 
rected them how 
to reach it. The 
path led from the 
opposite side of 
the river, and was 
sufficiently distinct 
for any one to follow it. After thanking the gentleman for his infor- 
mation, the party returned to the river and saw that the steamboat 
had gone. Accordingly, the boys had the fun of ferrying their 
friends across in a scow, and although the girls enjoyed it, the elder 
ladies did not seem to think much of the arrangement. The Parson, 
busy as ever, succeeded in getting a sketch of the junction of the 
rivers, also a general view of the camps. 

Leaving Indian Rock behind them, they struck into a path which 
might have been better, and might have been worse, running through 




UPPER DAM CAMPS. 



212 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



the woods. The wind did not get into the forest much, and they 
found it decidedly hot. After an hour's slow walking they reached 
the little wharf at the foot of Oquossoc Lake. Here they came upon 
a camping party, who had just landed from a new boat, and who were 
starting with their things for Haines Landing, a mile and a half 




FRYE'S CAMP, EAGLE POINT, LAKE CUPSUPTIC. 



distant, on the shore of Mooselucmeguntic Lake. They made a 
comical appearance as they staggered along under their burdens, 
accompanied by a small black and tan dog, who, from his incessant 
barking, seemed to thoroughly enjoy the occasion. 

Dick asked one of the camping party how they could reach the 
hotel. He told them, if they blew a blast upon a horn hanging near 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



213 



by, a boat would come from the hotel for them. Thereupon the boys 
began exercising their lungs with the horn, and the whole party 
became merry over it, as the girls tried to sound it, but with ill 
success. After a while the boat came, but could only carry five, and 
the three gentlemen with Mrs. Van Wyck and Mrs. Arden went in it. 
When the boatman returned he brought another boat with him, and 
the balance of the party were enabled to go at the same time, avoid- 
ing another twent)' minutes' wait. They passed a pretty little cottage 

on their left on 
their way to the 
hotel ; it stood on 
a point jutting out 
into the lake, and 
the grounds about 
it had been neatly 
cleared up. As 
they reached the 
wharf in front of 
al the hotel, they 
saw the steamer a 
short distance away just coming in. They went up to the Mountain 
View House and registered their names, then returned to the piazza 
to see if there was any one among the steamer's passengers whom 
they knew. But the arrivals were all strangers to them. 

It was now half-past twelve, and they were getting hungr)' ; just 
as George was starting to stir the landlord up on the dinner question, 
the bell rang, and they gladly responded to its invitation. After 
dinner they embarked on the steamer that left for Greenvale. at the 
head of the lake. 

When the writer first visited Rangeley, or Oquossoc Lake, to give 




jiktt 



t^^^}> « 



f ;: 



THE iMKETING OF THE WATERS. 



214 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



it its proper name, the only camp at the outlet was a small story-and- 
a-half building, kept by old Uncle George Soule (as every one called 
him), one of the best guides in the country. It had only accommoda- 
tions for a dozen people, and everything around the house was in a 
very primitive state. Below is a picture of the old camp, engraved 
form a photograph made on my first trip. After the steamer was 




CAMP HENRY. 



placed on Oquossoc Lake, the travel increased, and the accommoda- 
tions of the camp became inadequate to the demands of sportsmen. 
It was then that Mr. Henry Kimball bought out Uncle George's inter- 
est in the camp and landing, and built the commodious hotel now 
known as the Mountain View House, capable of accommodating 
about seventy-five guests. A carnage road runs from the house to 
the village of Rangeley, seven miles distant. 

The course of the steamer carried them alone the northern shore 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



21 



of the lake, giving them a fine view of the surrounding mountains. 
Unlike the other lakes in the chain, Oquossoc has a great many farms 
upon its borders, more than half its shores being cleared land, and 
therefore has not the wild appearance of the others, which are entirely 
surrounded by forests. The boat did not stop at the village of 
Rangeley on its way up the lake, but ran straight to Greenvale, the 
landing at the upper end. It stopped here an hour, giving our party 
time to go on shore and inspect the Greenvale House and its sur- 
roundings. The 
hotel is small but 
comfortable, and is 
the headquarters 
of a great many 
fishermen in the 
inonths of J u n e 
and September. 
The younger peo- 
ple in the party 
also visited a cascade near 
by, with which they were 
greatly pleased, and gave a glowing description of its beauties to 
the old people when they returned. 

WHien the passengers and baggage brought by the stage from 
Phillips had been loaded, the whistle was sounded, and the boys and 
their friends hurried down to the steamer. Going out of the river the 
steamboat grounded on a bar at its mouth, and for half an hour various 
unsuccessful attempts were made to get her afloat ; but finally perse- 
verance triumjohed, and the boat was headed for Rangeley " City," a 
nickname for the villacrc. The distance was three miles, and in half 
an hour from the time they left the bar they were landed at the little 
pier in Rangeley. 




RANGELEY OUTLET. 



2l6 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



They found a team from the Rangeley Lake House ; and dehvering 
their baggage to the driver, the whole party walked up to the hotel, 
that stood but a short distance from the wharf. Here they were to 
stay until the next morning. After they had been shown rooms, 
they hired a couple of teams and drove to a high hill a mile or so 
from the hotel, commanding a fine prospect of the lake and a large 
part of the surrounding country. The best view they obtained from 




RANGELEY DAM, AT FOOT OF OQUOSSOC LAKE. 

a field a few rods from the road ; and the Parson, who had brought his 
sketch-book along, made a very creditable attempt in transferring the 
landscape before them to its pages. From this point they also had a 
fine view of Ram Island, the largest island in the lake. An attempt 
was made a few years ago to build a large hotel on this island, but the 
projectors of the enterprise finally abandoned it from want of faith in 
its financial success. After an hour spent on the hill in a pleasant 
manner, they returned to the hotel. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



217 



A party of half a dozen gentlemen and two ladies had just come 
out from Kennebago Lake, and were going to stop at the house over 
night. After supper the boys and their friends entered into conversa- 
tion with the part)- from Kennebago, and heard the story of their 
experiences in the wilderness. The party had camped out. having 
carried tents with them. One of the gentlemen said that fish, small 
ones, had been very plenty, and flies and midges plentier, and gave 
them a graphic and humorous account of one night's experience, when 

they were kept 
awake all night b}- 
these pests. He 
advised the boys, 
if they had any 
thought of ofoino- 
to Kennebago, not 
to visit it before 
September, if they 
wished to have any 
peace, and showed 
them a sketch he 
had made of the night attack of the midges. This pleased the 
Parson so much that he begged leave to copy it, and the gentle- 
man kindly allowed him to do so. Later in the evening the whole 
part)- amused themselves with singing, and when they broke up to 
retire for the night, the)- all felt like old friends. It does not take long 
to make acquaintances in the backwoods, and the most of the tourists 
who visit the lakes are cultivated and travelled people, with whom it is 
a pleasure to meet and converse. 

An early breakfast was served to our part)-, who left on the boat 
at half-past six. They had been well pleased with their hotel accom- 




LAKE POINT COTTAGE. 



2l8 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



modations, and promised the landlord to visit him again some day. 
They reached the landing at the outlet at half-past seven, and found 
a team by which they sent their valises and bags across to Richard- 
son's, while they walked, the distance being a mile and a half. They 
followed the same road they had travelled the day before for a short 
distance, and then reached a sign-board pointing to a road on the left, 




RANGELEY LAKE AND RAM ISLAND. 

and directing to the Moose-look-me-gun-tic House at Haines' Land- 
ing, on the shore of the Great Lake, as this, the largest of the chain, 
is sometimes called. 

The carry was none too good, and the ladies found a great deal of 
fault with it ; but as all things have an end, so, too, did this carry, and 
after a slow walk of three-quarters of an hour, they were rewarded 
with a sight of the lake, and a few moments after were at the camp. 
Two other people, a lady and gentleman, had crossed the carry with 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



219 



them, and were going down to the Upper Dam on the steamer which 
was lying at the wharf in front of the camp. The steamer left imme- 
diately after the two passengers had embarked, and George told the 
captain that his party would go down with him the next morning. 

Mr. Richardson, the proprietor of the hotel at Haines' Landing, 
eave them a warm welcome, and made them feel at home. He 




CAMP KENNEBAGO, INDIAN ROCK. 

showed them to pleasant front rooms overlooking the lake, with which 
the ladies were greatly pleased. The hall in the second story opened 
out on an upper piazza, making a delightful place for the part)' to sit 
and chat. During the forenoon the three elder gentlemen, accom- 
panied by guides, went out on the lake for deep-water fishing, and 
returned at noon with five trout weighing from one to three-and-a- 
half pounds. The young people lounged about the hotel during the 
forenoon, and George, who was seeking information from Mr. 



220 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Richardson, learned that by rowing down to the Allerton place, a mile 
or two below, they could make the ascent of Bald Mountain from that 
point very easily. 

George then made a proposition to his young friends to spend the 
afternoon in making an ascent of the mountain, which they eagerly 
accepted, and invited Mr. Richardson to accompany them, and after a 
little persuasion he agreed to make one of the party. At dinner the 
talk of the young people was about the mountain trip, and the girls' 




'mmMt 



parents became interested in the matter ; and Mr. Van Wyck, learning 
from Richardson that the ascent was not very fatiguing, concluded, 
after talking with the other two gentlemen, that the whole part)- 
would go. 

Immediately after dinner three boats were made ready, and the 
party embarked, Mr. Richardson rowing one boat, George and Dick 
the second, and Ned and the Parson the third. There was only a 
slight ripple on the water, the lake being quite smooth, and the ladles, 
old and young, enjoyed the ride down to Bugle Cove very much. The 
party landed just below the immense ledge on which the camp stands, 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



221 



and clambering up the rough path, reached the piazza of the house, 
where they sat down for a few moments. Tlie camp was closed, the 
owner not visiting it that season. The view from Allerton Lodge is 
one of the finest about Mooselucmeguntic, and second only to that 
from Haines' Landing. It commands a large part of the lake, with a 
fine chain of mountains for a background. While the party were chat- 
ting on the piazza, the parson whipped out his sketch-book, and quickly 

made a copy of the 
landscape before them. 
The sketch finished, Mr. 
Richardson led the way 
to a path behind the 
camp ; and the real 
business of the trip 
commenced. Although 
steep, the path was not 
difficult ; and whenever 
they reached a wind- 
fall, or obstructions of 
a kindred nature, their 
host, who had brought 
an axe with him ex- 
pressly for that purpose, would remove the obstacles, thus making the 
climb easier for the ladies. The distance to the summit from where the 
first view is obtained is about a mile ; but, owing to the frequent stops 
to clear the path, an hour was taken in the ascent. The path w^as 
originally cut out by Jerry Ellis, a Rangeley guide, who for several 
years had charge of Allerton Lodge, and who also cut out four places 
on different parts of the mountain from which the surrounding country 
could be overlooked. 




•.:.. ^t^^ 



ALLERTON LODGE, BUGLE COVE. 



222 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Througrh the first of these vistas could be seen the lower end of 
Lake Mooselucmeguntic, including the long sweep of Bema Bay, with 
Student and Toothaker Islands, — spots of emerald amid the watery 
waste. Beyond the southern shore of the lake, across the narrow 
border of forest, a portion of the Richardson Lakes shimmered in the 
sunlight ; beyond, another strip of green, and then like a silver 




LAKE MOOSELUCMEGUNTIC. 



ribbon, fluttering in the wind, appeared the narrow and crooked 
Umbagog, most beautiful of all these lakes ; at the foot of Umbagog 
the little hamlet of Lakeside, with its excellent hotel nestling at the 
foot of Hampshire Hill, and in the farthest distance the grand chain 
of the White Mountain peaks closing the view in that direction. 

From this point the party followed Mr. Ellis' trail across the 
mountain-top, bearing to the east, and reached the second opening. 
This brought in sight the whole of Bema Bay, with Bemis Stream 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



22 



cutting- into the forest from the end. The cluster of log cabins a 
few rods from the lake look like brown spots, and are almost lost 
in the forest. A turn to the lett discloses a part of Oquossoc Lake, 
including- South Cove and South Ray Island ; the farms along its 
shores detract from the romance and wildness of the view, but make 
the picture more suggestive of civilization. The Saddleback Range 
in the direction of Phillips, and the twin peaks of Mount Bigelow 

toward Kingfield, 
are the prominent 
heights from this 
point. 

Another short 
walk and the party 
reached the third 
vista through the 
mountain forest, 
and beheld spread 
out before them 
nearly the whole 
of Oquossoc Lake, 
with the village of 
Rangeley on its 
northern shore, and the farms adjacent. The East and West Keiine- 
bago Mountains, thickly wooded, form the background of this picture, 
while almost under foot arc the outlet of the lake and the Mountain 
View House, the hotel a merc^ s})eck on the landscape. Turning 
westward, a few minutes' walk brought the; party to the last ot the 
little clearings. From here you have the fmest picture of the four, 
as the view includes the whole of the northern wilderness stretching 
away to Canada, whose mountains cleaving the blue sky lor man)- 




VIEW AT I5EMIS STREAM. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



225 



miles impose an impenetrable barrier in that direction. The upper 
part of the lake, with its cluster of islands, Cupsuptic Narrows, 
Haines' Landing- with Richardson's Camp, Frye's Camp on its rocky 
bluff, Eagle Point just above, the whole of Cupsuptic Lake, Birch 
Island, Deer Mountains, the clearing at Indian Rock, with Camp 
Kennebag-o, West Ken- 
nebago Mountain, and 
several of the Boun- 
dary peaks, form the 
line between American 
and British possessions. 
The symmetrical, round- 
topped peak of Observ- 
atory Mountain, and the 
giant peaks of Azisco- 
hos, the monarch of the 
hills in this region, are 
also brouQrht within 
range from this point 
of observation. From 
here a walk of twenty 
minutes brought the 
party to the foot of the 

mountain ; and, after a short rest, they again embarked in the row- 
boats, and returned to Richardson's, reaching the hotel at six o'clock, 
all delighted with their excursion. Supper, for which they all felt a 
craving after their romantic scramble, a fine sunset view from the 
piazza, and several songs in the evening, completed a most satis- 
factory da)'. 

The next morning at half-past eight they bade Mr. Richardson 




CAMP AZISCOHOS, MOLECHUNKA.MUNK. LAKE. 



226 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



farewell, and went on board the steamer. They had been much 
pleased with their stay at Haines' Landing, and expressed their 
regret to their pleasant and obliging landlord at having to leave 
him so soon. The team from the other lake now arrived ; and the 
driver informing the captain there were no passengers to come, the 
lines were hauled in, and the boat steamed toward the Upper Dam. 




CLEFT ROCK, BEMIS STREAM. 



THROUGH THE WILDS 227 




CHAPTER VIII. 

UPPER DAM TO SOUTH ARM. BUCKBOARD RIDE. DEVIL's OVEN. 

BLACK BROOK NOTCH, DEVH.'s DEN. HERMIT FALLS. SILVER 

RIPPLE CASCADE. A NIGHT IN ANDOVER. A JOLLY RIDE. A 

PICNIC DINNER. SIGHTS BY THE WAY. THE LAKESIDE HOTEL. 

CAMBRIDGE. LAKE UMBAGOG. STEAMER PARMACHENEE. 

O you think we can catch any trout at Upper Dam, 
Captain, before the Welokennebacook arrives ? " in- 
quired Dick, as the steamer came in sight of the 
dam. 

" No, you will not have time ; the other boat is 
probably there now, and they will leave at once after we get in." 

" We have been just an hour and a quarter coming down," re- 
marked George, as the steamer was made fast to the pier. 
" Pretty fair run," said the Parson. 

The party exchanged greetings with the captain, who had been very 
pleasant to them, and then walked to the other boat. Arriving at the 
wharf they learned from Captain Emerson that the engineer, who had 
gone over to the camp for the mail, had not returned, and they had a 
wait of fifteen minutes, the Parson improving the time by making a 
sketch of the cluster of buildings comprising Camp Bellevue, which were 
in full sight. The engineer arrived before the Parson's sketch was com- 
pleted, but it was so nearly done that he was able to finish it afterward. 
As the steamer left the wharf the captain informed George that he 
had to run down to Camp Whitney to take on a party who was going 



228 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



out from there. The boat accordingly followed the shore of the lake, 
and soon passed a neat and attractive camp, which Ned learned from 
the captain was Camp Aziscohos, belonging to a party of Boston gen- 
tlemen. A half mile from Whitney's the whistle was twice sounded, to 
announce the steamer's coming ; and when they were within a few rods 




CAMP BELLEVUE, MOLECHUNKAMUNK LAKE. 



of the landing, a row-boat came out bringing two gentlemen, who were 
going home. The boys and their friends were much pleased with the 
appearance of Camp Whitney ; and finding the two gentlemen who had 
left it pleasant and sociable, they asked a great many questions about 
the place. One of the gentlemen, in reply to a question from George, 
told him the house was christened Camp Whitney, after its owner, 
J. P. Whitney of Boston, a wealthy gentleman, largely interested in 



230 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



mines and railroads, who passed a large portion of each summer 
and who occasion- 
ally braved the 
inclemency of a 
northern winter by 
a visit to the camp 
in December, for 
the shooting. The 
boys were much 
interested in what 
they heard; and the 
Parson, learning 
the captain had 
some photographs 
of the place on 
board, bought two 
different views, and 
united them in a 
sketch. 

The two gen- 
tlemen from Camp 
Whitney gave the 
boys a graphic ac- 
count of a day's 
fishing they had 
enjoyed on Metal- 
lak Brook, and in- 
formed them that 



there. 




METALLAK BRUOK. 



it was one of the best trout streams emptying into the lakes, 
being very picturesque. They pointed out the mouth of the 
as the steamer shot by it. 



besides 
stream, 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



231 



" Which way do you go out ? " inquired the Parson. 
" By way of Andover," answered the elder of the two gentlemen, 
and then he gave our friends such a glowing account of the ride through 
the woods on a buckboard, and the beauty of the scenery around 
Andover, that the whole party were induced to go out there, as the 
captain informed them they could easily hire teams to carry them the 

next day from Andover 
to Cambridge, where the 
steamer stopped. They 
could spend the night at 
the Lakeside Hotel, and 
the next morning could 
take the boat and make 
their trip up the Magal- 
loway. 

As this route would 
i^ive more variety to the 
trip, the younger members 
of the party expressed 
themselves in favor of it 




WOODING UP, LAKE WELOKENNEBACOOK. 



at once ; and as the young 
ladies' parents were not 
very particular which way they returned, the Andover excursion was 
decided on, providing they found teams enough at the Arm to take 
the whole party out. The captain informed Mr. \^an W'yck that there 
was a telegraph office at the South Arm. and that if there were not 
teams enough at the wharf they could telegraph for one, and get it 
there in a couple of hours. This decided them fully. 

The steamer received three passengers at the Middle Dam Landing 
on her way down, which made the team question more doubttul. But 



2 32 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

one of the gentlemen from Camp Whitney told the boys he had no 
doubt there would be teams enough for all, and added that there was 
a special team coming in for himself and friend, and it could carry three 
of the other party if necessary. 

On their way down the lake, the steamer ran into the shore a few 
moments to wood up ; and the Parson, ever ready with his book and 
pencil, skipped on shore and made another sketch, telling his friends 
that he was bound to do their whole trip on paper or perish in the 
attempt. 

After leaving the woodpile, the captain asked the passengers how 
many wished dinner at the Arm, then he could telegraph the cook by 
whistles. The whole party expressed a desire to get dinner there if 
they could ; and when within a mile of the wharf, the captain gave his 
landing-signal, and then whistled for the dinners. 

" I suppose they will be all ready for us when we get there," 
remarked Dick to the captain. 

" Yes, you can sit down to the table the moment you get to the 
house." 

" Do they set a good table ? " asked George. 

" Good enough for me. I get my dinner there," and the captain 
proceeded to give them an idea of the bill of fare. 

The boat soon after stopped at the hotel-landing. The captain 
notified the passengers that the teams had not arrived, and that they 
would have plenty of time for dinner, and also advised them to leave 
all their baggage on the steamer, and he would carry it down to the 
team-landing, and take care of it. 

" Don't the teams come to the house?" asked George. 

" No, they stop a few rods below. The people at the house will 
send you down in row-boats, or you can walk. There is a nice path 
through the woods." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



233 



Accepting- the captain's advice, they left their things on the boat 
and went up to the house. They found it new and clean, and well 
furnished, and sat down to dinner at once, it being all ready. They 
were delighted with the meal, and surj)rised at the moderate charge, it 
being only fifty cents. After dinner, when paying the bill, George 
asked the young man who liad charge of the house, whom the hotel 
belonged to, and he was informed that it belonged to the company 

who ran the steam- 
ers. The building 
was very pleasantly 
located on a side 
hill, near the water, 
and commanded a 
charming view of 
the lake. 

The people con- 
cluded that they 
had better Avalk 
to the teams, one 
of the eentlemen 
saying that he 
needed a little ex- 
ercise after that dinner ; and following a pleasant woodland path for 
a few moments they reached the landing, where they found six buck- 
boards, one being the special team ordered by the gentlemen from 
Whitney's Camp. The teams had brought in twenty-five people, 
thirteen of whom were going to the Upper Dam to work for the 
Union Water Power Company ; the others, eight gentlemen and four 
ladies, had started on a tour through the lakes. As there were six 
teams, each of which would seat five passengers comfortably, and only 




LAKKVIEW COTTAGE, LAKE WELOKENNEBACOOK. 




I. STEAMER ANI> l;i( K l;( )AKI ' Al' hi 'L I'H ARM, LAKE WELOKENNEBACOOK. 
II. BLACK BROOK AND BLUE MOUNTAIN. 
III. DEVIL'S OVEN, BLACK BROOK NOTCH. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



235 



nineteen to go out, there was no trouble about the buckboards. The 
boys found their things safe at the landing, the captain having piled 
them all up together. While the drivers were loading their teams, 
the Parson made a sketch of the steamer at the wharf, and some of 
the buckboards. These teams had a canvas cover over the top, but 
open at the sides, making them very comfortable on a hot or rainy day. 

In about half an 
hour the baggage had 
been loaded on the 
teams, and the passen- 
gers sought their places. 
Grace, Lucie, George, 
and Dick rode together, 
and their team had the 
start. They were fol- 
lowed by Mr. and Mrs. 
Arden and the Van 
Wycks. Next came the 
two Miss Browns with 
the Parson and Ned. 
Mr. and Mrs. Brown 

NATURAL ARCH, LAKE ROAD. j^^^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^j^^^_ 

selves, as did also the three who had taken the steamer at the 
Middle Dam, and the two gentlemen from Camp Whitne)'. As the 
teams started, the young folks waved their handkerchiefs in adieu to 
the captain, who tooted the whistle as a farewell. 

The road wound tlirough a thick forest, and a few moments' ride 
had taken them beyond sight of the lake. There were trees of nearl)' 
every variety peculiar to New England forests along their way, and 
raspberry and blueberry bushes were noticed from time to time growing 




236 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



in thick patches. The road was in unusually good condition, free from 
mud, and the teams went along at a pace that raised the spirits of the 
whole party, and the young people declared that buckboard riding was 
jolly. There were no long hills on the road at first ; but once in a 
while they would go down a short pitch, and the drivers would send 
their horses along then at a pace that made the dust fly. 

On one part of the road they passed under a natural arch, formed 
by two large yellow birches, whose thick foliage uniting overhead 
made a grateful shade. For several miles the forest was so dense 
that nothing could be seen ; but as they neared Black Brook Notch, 
through or over the tops of the trees they obtained occasional 
glimpses of the mountains that walled it in. and the driver called 
their attention to a large opening in an overhanging ledge at the top 
of the mountain, on the left side of the road, which was known as the 
Devil's Oven, although when or how his Satanic Majesty did cooking 
there is rather a mythical question. When they reached the Notch 
they were charmed by its romantic surroundings. On one side was 
Blue Mountain, scarred and furrowed by slides which had been tum- 
bling down for years ; on the other, the thickly wooded bluffs of Mount 
Sawyer, rising step upon step, until they ended in a barren peak. 
Singing along the bottom of the valley at the foot of those dizzy 
heights, ran the sparkling waters of Black Brook, a fine trout stream, 
and across which a rude dam had been built, to assist lumbermen in 
running logs out of the brook in the spring. The buckboards were 
stopped here about fifteen minutes, and then began the climb over 
Cedar Hill, the only rise in the road of any account for nine miles. 
From the top of this eminence they obtained a fine view of the Notch 
in each direction. From this point, less than an hour's drive took 
them to a place where the Parson found ample work for his pencil, and 
mourned because he did not have more time to devote to sketching. 



238 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

This was a spot known by the unromantic name of Smith's Mill, 
from the fact that a member of that numerous family had once owned 
a mill on the stream in that locality. They first visited an immense 
chasm in the rock, hollowed out by the unceasing friction of the water, 
and rejoicing in the peculiar name of the Devil's Den. The horrible 
gulf was spanned by a couple of square timbers, relics of the old mill ; 
this bridge, not particularly safe at any time, showed evident signs of 
speedy dissolution. Dick and Ned crossed on it, but were well rated 
by George for doing so, as there was no necessity for it, there being a 
path around the upper end of the dam, that could be travelled with 
perfect safety. The stream which had formerly flowed through this 
dangerous chasm had either been turned or had sought for itself a 
new channel some rods beyond ; and thither the party went, to admire 
a beautiful cascade that rippled down over the rocky ledges forming 
the bottom of the brook, guarded on each side by perpendicular walls. 
This beautiful piece of water scenery was happily called Silver Ripple 
Cascade. It was indeed a lovely spot, and tempted the whole party 
to linger until the drivers announced that if they wished to reach 
the hotels at the regular supper hour they must be moving in that 
direction. 

Three miles beyond this lovely place, a turn to the right brought 
them out on the main road, and a few rods farther on they crossed 
Black Brook over a wooden bridge, below which some very nice trout 
are caught. From the bridge for a mile or more the road ran mostly 
through the woods, but as they approached Andover the cleared spots 
increased in numbers and acreage. They passed one section covered 
with tall poplars ; on this land in former years there had been a luxuri- 
ant growth of pine, still attested by the immense stumps from four to 
eight feet in diameter, scattered over the ground, and that were now 
fast rotting away. Less than a mile from the hotel they caught their 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



239 



first glimpse of Andover, scattered along the foot of the mountains in 
the Ellis River Valley, the only compact settlement being at the 
" Corner," so-called. A little nearer the " Corner" the teams stopped 
a moment on high ground, and the party had an extensive view of the 
village bathed in the golden rays of the declining sun. With the 
bright and sparkling river in the foreground, and the dark green moun- 
tains beyond, it made a charming picture, and brought forth many 




ANDOVER HOUSE, ANDOVER, ME. 



complimentary remarks. From the high land where they had halted, 
the road descended to the river, and the horses trotted down the hill 
as if they could smell the oats that were to furnish their supper. As 
they left the Byron road, they made another sharp turn to the right, 
then along under a canopy of stately elms, crossing the covered wooden 
bridge over the Ellis, and up a broad but dusty road to the '' Corner." 

Here they found the Andover House, a good, solid, old-fashioned. 
New England hotel, its open doors suggestive of the hearty welcome 



240 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

they received a moment later. But here came a hitch. The hotel was 
nearly full ; and while the landlord could feed the whole party, he had 
not sleeping accommodations for all. Accordingly, the elder people 
with the young ladies stopped in the hotel, and Mr. Thomas engaged 
rooms at a private house near for the boys and the three gentlemen 
who had come from Middle Dam. The two orentlemen from the Whit- 
ney Camp also procured accommodations at a private boarding-house. 

After supper the boys went over to their lodgings for a few mo- 
ments, and when they returned Mr. Van Wyck informed them he had 
made arrangements with Mr. Thomas, the landlord, to furnish three 
buckboards to take them to Umbagog Lake the next day ; and as the 
ladies wished to stop at Cataract Brook, to look at some falls and 
cascades, he washed to start by eight o'clock. He added that he w^ould 
send one of the teams to the house for their luggage about eight 
o'clock, and they must have it ready then. 

The boys promised to have their things ready, and then went into 
the parlor and joined the young ladies, and passed the evening in 
singing. At ten o'clock the party broke up, and the boys found Mr. 
Thomas, and questioned him in regard to the road they were to ride 
over the next day. He gave them considerable information, and also 
told them they ought to climb to the summit of Bald Mountain, as 
they would be directly under it when visiting the cascades. 

" We should like to do it first-rate," answered George, " but it 
would detain us too long." 

The next morning when they went out they set their valises on the 
piazza, asking the owner of the house to put them on the buckboard 
when it came, then walked over to the Andover House, and ate their 
breakfast. Afterward they came out, and found two teams at the 
door and another just starting out of the yard. The driver asked 
them if their baggage was ready. 



242 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" Yes," replied George, " it sets out on the piazza," and the team 
rattled off after it. 

Stepping into the parlor they found the ladies about ready, and 
asked Mr. Van Wyck how they should ride. 

" We will see when the ladies are ready. Did you have any 
dinners put up, George ? " 

" No, sir. I thought we should reach the Lakeside Hotel by noon." 

" So did I. But the girls have been studying Farrar's guide-book, 
and find there are a number of 
pretty places to be seen at dif- 
ferent points along the road if 
we take the time for it ; and 
Lucie and Grace suggested a 
lunch, giving us till supper-time 
to reach Lakeside, and we old 
fellows," with a glance at Arden 
and Brown, " have agreed to 
it, and I have ordered dinner 
put up for the whole party." 

" Very kind in you, sir," re- 
turned George. 

The ladies now announced 
that they were ready, and all the 
party stepped out, Mr. Van Wyck directing the loading of the teams. 
Mr. and Mrs. Arden, Mr. Brown, Lucie, and George were placed on the 
first buckboard ; Mr. and Mrs. Van Wyck, Mrs. Brown, Dick, and 
Grace took possession of the second ; and the Parson and Ned, with 
Nellie and Maud, brought up the rear. They bade Mr. and Mrs. 
Thomas good-by as the teams drove off, promising to come and see 
them again some time, and make a longer stay. 







>.- ■ 



A lUT Oi AMjuVLK corner. 



THROUGJI THE WILDS. 



243 



They found the road to the " Cataracts," as the driver called the 
falls, in first-rate condition. It left the " corner " opposite the Andover 
House, advancing in a generally western direction. Old Bald Pate 
looked smilingly down on them from a distance, and seemed to beckon 
them onward. To the right the river ran sparkling through the 




y _^___^^jy^j\ " LOVVER FALL, CATARACT BROOK. 



meadows, and on their left the stores and houses stretched down the 
highway toward the Grand Trunk Railway, the outlet for that little 
corner of the world. P^verything was fresh and green with the glory 
of the morning, it being clear and fair ; but in old Sol's rays there was 
a suggestion of uncomfortable warmth during the middle of the day. 
They were in sight of the Ellis River most of the way, and part of 



244 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



the distance was through httle patches of woods that furnished an 
agreeable shade. As they left Andover behind, the valley up which 
they rode grew narrower, and the mountains higher, while one huge 
mass of dark ledge in the distance seemed to bar the way at that 
point. Five miles from the hotel, the horses were turned to the 
left, and leaving the road, entered a clearing, formerly a farm, but 
now growing up fast to bushes. A few rods from the road they 
stopped their horses, and informed the party they could go no 
farther with the buckboards. 

" Here we go, then ! " cried Dick, jumping off the buckboard, 
and assisting Grace to alight. His example was followed by the 
others ; and under the direction of the youngest driver, they began 
climbing the path leading to the falls. The first they halted at 
was the " Lower Fall." It was about twenty feet in height, with 
an inclination to the semi-circular in shape, as the dark rock over 
which it fell had been worn away at the back. The amount of 
water going over was sufficient to make quite a roar ; and in the 
sunlight it assumed prismatic colors, clothing itself with gorgeous 
raiment, that formed a brilliant contrast to the dark and grim- 
looking ledges by which it was surrounded. 

" A very pretty fall, and charmingly embowered among these 
woods," remarked Mr. Van Wyck, as the party, turning away, 
sought the path again, and continued their climb up the mountain- 
side. 

A quarter of a mile above they reached the lower pitch of 
the " Upper Fall," and were surprised at its height and beauty. 
This is the highest fall on the stream, and the perpendicular drop 
in two pitches is not far from seventy-five feet. As will be seen 
in the enorravino-, the entire bed of the stream, where the water 
takes its first leap, is a solid ledge ; at the bottom of this the 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



245 



water crathers in a round basin, worn from the solid ledo-e of 

unfathomable depth 
according- to local 
tradition. A charm- 
incr place for wood- 
nymphs to take their 
morning bath. The 
water and frost have 
played sad havoc with 
the granite walls of 
the stream at this 
place, and immense 
bowlders have been 
detached from the 
upper part of the 
cliff, and fret their 
lives away in the 
stream at the second 
fall. This work of 
destruction is con- 
stantly going on, and 
there must be more 
or less chantre in the 
appearance of the 
place with each suc- 
cessive year. 

The deep - toned 
cataract is surrounded 
on both sides by thick woods, and the spot has a conscious but 
indescribable charm that will cause people to linger long after they 




UPPER FALL, CATARACT liROOK. 



246 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

have seen all of interest. It would furnish a fitting abode for a sylvan 
goddess, and you can almost imagine some Diana appearing and 
greeting you with a smile of welcome. 

" That spirit moves 
In the green valley, where the silver brook 
From its full basin pours the white cascade ; 
And babbling low amid the tangled woods. 
Slips down through moss-grown stones 
With endless laughter." 

After viewing the falls from the foot of the cataract, the party 
clambered over the rough sides of the amphitheatre to the top, from 
whence they could obtain an equally satisfactory, but very different, 
view. 

" What a beautiful stream this is, and what a lovely place ! " 
observed George to Lucie, as they stood together on an over- 
hanging bluff at the top of the fall. 

" Charminof. And I am so orlad that we came out to Andover. 
I never enjoyed a trip so much in my life as this one, and all the 
girls say the same. I hope we shall come up this way somewhere 
another summer." 

" So do I," returned her cavalier ; and afterward, sotto-voce, 
" if I can come too." 

" Come along," cried Ned at this moment, " we are going up 
the stream farther." 

Leaving the double fall, they made their way half a mile up the 
mountain-path, which ran in close proximity to the stream. The 
bare and scarred summit of old " Bald Pate " now frowned down 
upon them, as if questioning their right to invade his domain ; but 
little they cared for his temper, which came to them in the shape 
of a dark shadow from a cloud that just then swept across his brow. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



247 



They stopped at one of the most beautiful places to be found on 
this charming stream, where the mountain torrent poured over the 

whitest of granite rock, 
worn smooth as glass 
from the action of the 
water, forming a series 
of delightful water-slides, 
known as the " Sylvan 
Cascades." Here the 
sunlight streamed in, 
causinof the water to 
sparkle like diamonds, 
and furnishing a strong 
comparison to the dark- 
ness of the " Flume " 
above. There are basins 
worn in the solid rock 
here, that for beauty of 
shape and finish would 
put to shame many works 
of art. One can sit for 
hours feasting the eye 
on the exquisite beauty 
of the place, the ear 
enchanted by the gentle 
murmur of the rippling 
waters. 

If one is inclined to solitude, no more beautiful spot could be 
found in which to indulge in seclusiveness, for here you are 
entirely surrounded by nature. The musical stream, the granite 




IHK ll.lMl, 



248 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

rocks, the dark forests lit up a little by the delicate birch and 
silver-maple on either hand ; below, the smiling valley to which the 
torrent hastens ; above, the frowning peaks of mountains, and over 
all, the clear blue sky, — majestic canopy of earth. 

" Pleasant it was, when woods were green, 

And winds were soft and low, 
To lie amid some sylvan scene, 
Where, the long, drooping boughs between. 
Shadows dark and sunlight sheen 

Alternate come and go." 

Half an hour was devoted to the cascades, and the party con- 
tinued up the stream a short distance, until they reached the 
" Flume." 

" This is commencing to be warm work," declared Mr. Van 
Wyck, mopping his face with a silk handkerchief; " is there any- 
thino- more to see in this direction, driver ? " 

" No, sir ; unless," mischievously, " you wish to climb the 
mountain." 

" We will leave the mountain until another year. I guess it 
will keep." 

" The scenery grows wilder and prettier," cried Grace, as they 
reached the lower end of the " Flume," and gazed at the long, 
narrow tunnel before them. 

At this point on the stream, for several hundred feet on both 
sides of the brook, the rocky walls rise to a height of from 
twenty to sixty feet, the purling water flowing swiftly along the 
bottom. A tree has been felled across the chasm, affording an 
insecure bridge by which to cross. It is much safer and wiser, 
however, if you are going from one side to the other, to cross on 
the stones in the bed of the brook at the lower end. The width 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 249 

of the flume is from ten to twenty feet. A thick growth of fir and 
pine has obtained a foothold on each side of the chfT, shutting 
out the sun, except perhaps for a short time at noon, when it is 
directly overhead. The gloomy darkness adds to the weird and 
solemn appearance of the place, and you gaze with feelings of 
awe alontr the cavernous sides of the friMitful lookinof ravine 
before you, — 

" Through the narrow rift 
Of the vast rocks, against whose rugged feet 
Beats the mad torrent with perpetual roar, 
Where noonday is as twilight, and the winds 
Come burdened with the everlasting moan 
Of forests and of far-off waterfalls." 

After inspecting the " Flume " from above and below, the 
party returned to the buckboards, and once more taking their 
seats, were a moment later rattling along the road. 

Across the intervale on the right, one of the drivers pointed 
out a mountain, on which, accordingf to local belief, was a lead- 
mine, although no one was able to find it. The story ran, that 
many years ago the Indians in that part of the country used to sell 
lead which came from this mountain. And that later two white 
hunters, in crossing the mountain, had accidentally stumbled upon 
the out-croppings of lead, and had cut some off the ledges. While 
engaged in doing it. they heard voices, and for fear of being dis- 
covered, joined the other party, who were also hunters, and craftily 
drew them away from the vicinity of the lead-mine. To avoid all 
suspicion, they continued on to the village with the party they had 
met, without blazing any path. Afterward they spent weeks in 
trying to find the place again, but never succeeded, and it still 
remains undiscovered. 



250 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" I don't think much of lead-mines," said Ned ; " but if you 
know of any lost gold-mines about here, we will try and look 
them up." 

The driver confessed that he did not, and touched up his 
horses, that were just then disposed to lag. 

Two miles from the opening where they had stopped to visit 
Cataract Brook, they reached the path leading to Dunn's Notch, 
a romantic pass in the mountains. The young ladies wished to 
visit the Notch, but Mr. Van Wyck thought it too hot for them 
to do any more climbing just then, but consented to the boys' 
going ; and the young fellows struck across the meadows to the 
left, while the party kept on. It was nearly one o'clock when 
the panting horses began climbing the first long hill between them 
and the lake. Near the top they found a sparkling little brook on 
the right of the road, and leaving their seats, threw themselves 
down in the shade of the trees, and had the drivers bring the 
luncheon. They had just commenced eating when the boys made 
their appearance, looking hot and tired, and the Parson showed 
them a sketch of the Notch he had made from below, and told 
them that he did not go to the top, as they found it would use 
up too much time. The sketch was admired by all, and Mr. 
Van Wyck said they were wise not to attempt climbing to the 
top of the Notch. 

An hour was passed in dinner at the spot where they had 
halted ; and a merry time they had, the girls declaring it was equal 
to a picnic. The drivers also improved the opportunity to feed and 
water the horses. A little after two o'clock the party started again ; 
but as the next five or six miles were nearly all hills, the horses 
were driven slowly, and occasionally some of the party would walk 
for a change. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



2SI 



At East B Hill they waited nearly half an hour to enjoy the 
view from that sightly locality, which commanded part of Lake 
Welokennebacook, nearly the whole of Umbagog Lake, the Dix- 

ville Peaks, and Mount Washington. With 
their glasses they could distinguish the hotel 

on the top of the 
mountain, and the 
steamers on the lakes. 
From here, a few 
minutes' ride brought 
them to the top of 
another hill, where 
they stopped a short 
time to get a more 
extended view of Umbagog 




Lake and the mountains sur- 

rounding. It was a beautiful 

' \-^^. picture; the lake, long and 

-t^.t^^''^- crooked, stretched away for miles, 



^^%j: accompanied on all sides by thickly 

wooded mountains, on the most of 

which the forest growth reached the 

summit ; a few bare peaks towered 

above the others, and looked dow.n 

with dignified contempt on their 

more lowly neighbors ; two or three 

small farms, at the lower end of the 

lake, alone prevented the country from being a howling wilderness. 

A mile beyond they passed a post-office, and the road leading 

down to the mill, and, continuing on straio-ht alono^ the main road to 



DUNN'S NOTCH FROM BELOW AND ABOVE. 



252 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Colebrook, shortly reached a pretty new hotel, eligibly located on a 
plateau on the left of the road, but a short distance from the lake. 
At the door of the Lakeside the buckboards stopped, and the party 
were warmly welcomed by the landlord. After their long ride they 
were 2"lad to rest for a while in the lar^e, flaof-bottomed seats on the 
wide piazza, and rest their eyes on the charming landscape in front 
of them before proceeding to their rooms. Later on they inspected 




AT LUNCHEON. 



the interior of the hotel, and were all given pleasant, well-furnished 
rooms. About half-past five George descried the steamer coming 
down the lake ; and the young people went down to meet the boat. 

" There are six passengers," remarked Lucie, as the boat drew 
near the wharf. 

"There's Captain Farwell," observed Grace; "wave your hand- 
kerchiefs, girls." And a moment later four dainty bits of white 
floated out on the air, the gallant captain replying to their welcome 
by swinging his hat. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



"Throw us your bow-line!" yelled Dick as the boat glided into 
the wharf. The engineer gave it a toss ; Dick caught it, and put 
two half-hitches around a post with a celerity that showed him to 
be expert at handling ropes. Then he caught the stern-line, and 
made that fast with equal readiness ; and the boat was secured. 

The passengers came on shore, and walked up to the house, the 
captain telling them the team would be down shortly and get their 
luggage. 



'mm 



i^.*ii"^ 






VIEW FROM LAKESIDE HOTEL, LOOKING NORTH-WEST. 



" How are you. Captain ? " said George, as they shook hands ; 
" we are going up Magalloway with you to-morrow." 

" I am glad of that. Where is the rest of your party?" 

" At the house. The older people were quite tired after the 
ride." 

" How did you enjoy it ? " 

" First-rate, all of us. We had a splendid time. It is one of the 
prettiest rides I ever had in my life." 

" So this is your small steamer, Captain ? " said Grace. 

"Yes. How do you like it?" 



254 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



"Very much; it's a little darling: much better than the large 
boat." 

"Who were your passengers, Captain?" inquired Ned. 

" Some New York people. I did not learn their names. They 
came down from the Middle Dam, and are going out to Bethel to- 
morrow morning. Did anybody come on the stage to-night?" 




VIEW ON ROAD, LAKESIDE FARM. 



" I don't know," answered George ; " I don't think it had arrived 
when we left the house." 

"There it is now ! " cried Maud with a little quiver of excitement ; 
" let us return to the house, and see who has come." 

The captain accompanied the young people, and they reached the 
piazza just as four gentlemen alighted from the stage. Later the 
captain told George they were going to the Middle Dam. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



255 



After supper, while the old people formed the acquaintance of 
the other guests, the boys and girls went out rowing on the lake. 
It was a splendid moonlight evening, the water like a sheet of silver ; 
and the young people enjoyed the sail as only young folks can, and 
returned about nine o'clock. They were all loath to come in ; but 
the girls were afraid their parents would not like it if they stopped 




-^^ 



ON THE PIAZZA. 



out later, and the boys knew better than to get them into trouble. 
They went up to the house, but stopped on the piazza a while before 
going in. 

"Where do we go next, George?" asked Mr. Van Wyck as 
they all sat around enjoying the moonlight and the beauty of the 



" Up the Magalloway to the Berlin Mills House to-morrow ; stop 
there over night, and Sunday make the ascent of Aziscohos ; then 



256 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



return to the hotel, stop over night, and Monday come down the 
river to Errol Dam, where Mr. Marston will meet you at night." 

" I don't like the idea of Sunday excursions. Couldn't we go up 
the mountain Saturday or Monday ? " 

" There would not be time, sir, if any of the ladies are going 
with us." 

" And we are all going, father," put in Lucie, as if it were an 
assured fact. 

" Yes, yes, I dare say you are all wishing to go. You girls are 
becoming regular romps up here. But I'll decide the matter when 
we get up there. And now I think you had all better retire. I am 
going to myself. Come, Mrs. Van Wyck, let us set these young 
people a good example ; " and, as the old folks started, the whole 
party broke up and retired to their rooms. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



257 



CHAPTER IX. 




FROM CAMBRIDGE TO SUNDAY COVE. ERROL DAM. THE MAGALLOWAY 

RIVER. POINTS OF INTEREST. 

-^/^ VERYBODY was up early the next morning, and, 
after breakfast, bundled their traps together, and 
they were taken down to the steamer by the team, 
the passengers following on foot. Several of the 
ladies and gentlemen who were spending their 
summer at Lakeside went down to the landing 
to see them oft. The four gentlemen who had arrived from Bethel 
the night before also took passage on the boat. When all were on 
board the lines were thrown in, and amidst a flutter of handkerchiefs 
from those on the steamer, replied to by those on shore, the saucy 
little craft steamed up the lake. 

As they left the landing swiftly behind, the captain called his pas- 
sengers' attention to a point opposite, which he called B Point, and 
told them that the year before, one morning while the steamer was 
passing the point, he saw two deer standing on it. He stopped the 
steamer, pulled the whistle two or three times, and halloed at them, 
but they showed no fright, and kept on browsing. He started to 
make a landing, the deer watching him curiously a few moments, 
and then they walked leisurely off into the woods. 

"Why did you not shoot them?" asked one of the gentlemen. 
"For the best reason in the world: I had no rifle. And even 
il I had, I would not have dared to fire, for some of these coun- 



258 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

trymen round here would have complauied about me if I had killed 
one ; and it would have cost me fifty dollars." 

"They keep a nice house where you stop, Captain?" 

" Yes, sir. That is the best-kept hotel, and the best-looking one, 
in this part of the country." 

" Do the Transportation Company own it ? " 

" Yes, sir," 

" We had a nice dinner at the South Arm," remarked George. 

" Yes," replied the captain, " I suppose you did. The Company 
own that house also." 

The attention of the passengers was now attracted by the beauties 
of the lake ; and they plied the captain with so many questions that 
it was fairly a burden to him to answer them. 

The course of the steamer was past B Point on the right hand, 
or starboard side, and the Big Island on the left, or port side. From 
the head of the island the steamer was slanted toward the east, 
leaving the last house (Heywood's) on the port, and Bear Island on 
the starboard ; thence through the Narrows, past Loon Island and 
Metallak Island. On the latter was a party who had left the hotel 
early in the morning, and had rowed up to the narrows for fishing, 
and who were now getting their breakfast at a fire they had kindled 
on the beach. The steamer passed so near the island that those on 
board were able to converse for a few moments with the amateur 
camping-party. 

"There is a splendid sweep of water beyond that island," ob- 
served Mr. Van Wyck. 

" Yes," replied the captain ; " that is known as Tyler Cove. There 
is a beautiful sand-beach at the head of it. There used to be a farm 
in there years ago known as the ' Tyler Place,' and the cove adopted 
the same name. There are several very large and pretty coves 
around this lake." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



259 



The sound of a fowling-piece ahead now attracted their attention ; 
and they noticed a man in a boat pick up two ducks, while a few 
more flew off in the distance. 

" Rather early for ducks, I think," said one of the gentlemen who 
was bound to the upper lakes. 

" Yes, those must be old ones ; the young ones do not fly much 
before September ; and the captain gave his wheel half a turn to 




BREAKFAST ON METALLAK ISLAND. 



Starboard to bring them a little nearer the boat, the occupant of 
which, having picked up his game, was now pulling straight for the 
eastern shore. 

** He is going to land somewhere," remarked the Parson. 

" Yes." answered the captain, " he is heading for R Brook Point. 
I don't care to follow him in there : it is rocky off that point, but we 
can go near enough to get a fair look at him." 

"Do you know where all the rocks in the lake are, Captain?" 
asked Dick. 

" All the worst ones." 



26o THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" I suppose you bring up on one once in a while." 

"No, sir," laughed the captain, "we 'bring up* before we get 
to them, and give them a wide berth. I don't care to try and turn 
rocks over with this boat : she is not strong enough." 

" The man has reached the shore," said Grace. " I suppose he 
is going to cook his breakfast." 

" I don't see what he is doing in there," remarked the captain. 
Most of the campers pitch their tents over to Moll's Rock : I can't 
imagine where the fun comes in camping alone," 

" Oh, he has a do^ w^ith him ! " cried Nellie. 

" Well, I had rather have a dog with me than some men I have 
seen," added George dryly. 

" Where is Moll's Rock, Captain, that you spoke of a moment 
aofo : 

" Over on the west side of the lake ; " and the captain pointed 
out a spot where a large ledge swept shelvingly into the water. 

" There is plenty of firewood there, and a good spring of water. 
I don't believe that fellow will stay long where he has landed." 

" In what direction is the outlet. Captain," inquired Mr. Brown, 
who had been sweeping the shores of the lake with his glass. 

"Over in that dead wood, sir;" and the captain nodded in the 
direction indicated, then added with a laugh, " but it would puzzle 
you to find it." 

" What a quantity of mountains there are in this country. Cap- 
tain ! " remarked Mr. Van Wyck. " We are literally surrounded with 
them." 

" Yes, sir : every piece of land here that isn't a hill is a mountain." 

" Have they all names ? " 

" Not that I know of, sir, but a great many of them have. That 
wedge-shaped one in the north-west you saw the other day is Mount 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



261 



Dustan ; that large double-peaked one ahead is Mount Aziscohos. 
The round-topped one oft there in the north-east is Moose Moun- 
tain. That high one abeam of us is Blue Mountain, over in Black 
Brook Notch. Those two large ones in the south-east are Saddle- 
back and Speckled, and they form the walls of Grafton Notch. 
These gentlemen," nodding to the four strangers, " came between 
those mountains yesterday on their way from Bethel to the lake." 




THE LUxNKLV CAMPER. 



" Yes, and a charming drive it was," put in one of them. 

" Very pretty," replied the captain ; and then, turning to Mr. Van 
Wyck, continued. " You see, from this lake Saddle Back shows two 
peaks ; but over in Andover you can only see the highest, the white 
granite one, and for that reason the Andover people call it Bald 
Pate." 

" Yes, we passed quite near it in riding over to Lakeside." 

" Exactly. Those peaks directly south of us loom up behind 



262 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

the hotel, and are known as the Hampshire Hills. The Company 
intend some time to cut out a path from the hotel to the top of the 
nearest one, and build an observatory on it." 

" That would be splendid ! " cried Lucie. 

" Charming ! " echoed Grace. 

" It would command a fine view of the lake and the surrounding 
country," assented the captain ; and then continuing to Mr. Van Wyck, 
" Those high peaks just coming in sight are the White Mountains ; 
they lie south-west of us, and you will obtain a much better view of 
them in the next fifteen minutes. Those nearest mountains west 
of us are in Errol and Dummer ; and there are about a hundred other 
peaks about us that I have never learned the names of, allowing 
they have any." 

" Have you ever been on the summit of Aziscohos, Captain ? " 

" Yes, sir." 

"Would it pay for an old fellow like me to climb it?" 

" Yes, sir : it would pay if you didn't have but one leg. You 
can get the finest view from the top of that mountain that there 
is to be had in this country, and, besides, it is not a hard trip. You 
can ride to within two miles of the summit, and there is a good path 
the rest of the way." 

" I suppose I had better not take my wife with me," with a 
sly glance at her. "Don't you think ladies are a nusiance ? " 

" No, sir," declared the captain with a blush. " I always take 
my wife with me wherever I go. She enjoys it, and so do I." 

" But your wife is not so old as mine." 

" I don't think your wife is an old-looking lady by any means." 

"Thank you, Captain," broke in Mrs. Van Wyck laughingly, "for 
your exertions in my behalf ; and I can assure you that Mr. Van 
Wyck will not get rid of me so easily. If he ascends the mountain, 
so shall I." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



263 



Amid the general laughter that followed this speech, Mr. Van 
Wyck assured his wife that she might make one of the mountain 
party. 

The steamer had now reached the entrance of Sunday Cove ; 
and the captain gave one long whistle as a signal to the team that 
the boat would land passengers. 

As they swept around Eagle Point a large flock of young ducks, 
accompanied by their mother, took fright, and paddled for shore as 
swiftly as their little feet would carry them. 




PINE POINT, UMHAGOG LAKK 

" Oh, the little dears ! Just see them swim ! Can't they fly, 
Captain ? " cried Lucie. 

" No, they are not old enough." 

"Why, Dick, see them bob their heads under!" said Grace 
to her enthusiastic admirer, who was making a mental calculation 
of the distance they were away, and wondering if he could have 
hit them if they had been large enough to eat. 

" Yes, they are regular divers." 

" Aren't they cunning ? " 



264 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" Yes ; and see how the old one keeps behind and looks after 
them." 

"Is the team here every morning. Captain?" asked one of the 
gentlemen, who was to leave the steamer. 

" Yes, sir, it has to be. We carry the United States mail, and 
they meet us regularly." 

As they approached the landing they noticed two canoes anchored 
beyond the wharf, a little way from shore. This excited the captain's 
curiosity, as he declared there were no canoes there the night before ; 
and he wondered where they could have sprung from. 

The team was waiting ; and, as the boat glided in to the wharf, 
the usual amount of chaff was strewn to the winds by the captain 
and the driver. 

" What makes you so late this morning, Captain ? Out to a 
dance last night ? " 

"Late?" queried the captain with a contemptuous sniff: "we 
are ahead of time. I suppose you and your horses stopped down 
here last night ; if you hadn't you could never have been here 
at this time in the morning." 

" Tell that to the marines, you sea-monster! " returned the driver; 
" don't I have to wait here for you about four mornings out of a 
week ? " 

" I should think you did. This is the first morning you have 
been on time this week, and to-day is Saturday. And I'll bet five 
dollars you came off before breakfast this morning." 

" You ask the cook if I did. Back water ! you'll smash the 
wharf." 

" Don't you fret ! I'm running this boat. Catch that bow-line, 
and don't give us so much cheap talk ; " and amid a recurring 
fire of hits and counter hits between the driver and the captain, 
the boat was secured to the wharf. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



265 



While the captain and engineer were unloading their freight 
and the gentlemen's baggage, the passengers strolled on shore to 
stretch their limbs. Three ladies and two gentlemen now appeared 
on the brow of the hill, who had ridden on the buckboard all the 
way but the last mile, and that they had walked. 

Half an hour was passed in transferring passengers, baggage, 
freight, and mails ; and then the driver and the captain had their 




STEAMER ANiJ BUCKBOARD AT SUNDAY COVE. 



last shot at each other. The passengers exchanged farewells, and 
the little steamer, with a whistle that awoke the echoes of the 
forest, glided swiftly out toward the lake. 

"Did you find out whom the canoes belonged to. Captain?" 
i acquired George, who had overheard him quizzing the driver. 

" Yes : they belong to some fellows who are going up Magal- 
loway. They sacked them across the carry yesterday afternoon, 
and have gone back for their tent and the rest of their things." 



266 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" Do you mean that they brought them down themselves ? Why, 
they must be awful heavy ! " 

"They will weigh about seventy-five pounds each. They take 
them on their shoulders, and travel with them like a lobster in his 
shell." 

" I should rather pay to have the team haul them down if they 
were mine." 

" So would I. But some people will work themselves to death to 
save a dollar." 

The newcomers soon became acquainted with the other passengers, 
and they exchanged experiences about their different trips through the 
lake region, where they were going, and the strangers informed Mr. 
Van Wyck they were from Boston. 

" Then we are near neighbors six hours removed," returned Mr. 
Van Wyck with a laugh. " We come from New York. We are bound 
up the Magalloway, shall ascend Aziscohos, and see whatever else there 
is worth seeing up the river. Would your party not like to join us ? " 

"Thank you. We should be very happy to, for we intend visit- 
ing the mountain later ; but we are to meet some friends at Dixville 
Notch to-morrow, and therefore will have to go directly there." 

" Which way are you going out when you return home, Mr. 
Simpson ? " 

" Through Grafton Notch to Bethel." 

" Then you will have to stop at the foot of the lake over night, and 
there you will find the best hotel in this part of the country, I'll 
warrant." 

"That will be pleasant, for some we found above the Middle Dam 
were very poor." 

" How did you come in ?" 

" By Farmington and Phillips." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



267 



" I don't know anything about that route." 

" It is a nice way of approach to the lake system, and a great many 
people come in that way, I should advise you to try it some time." 

" I will. For although this is my first visit to the Androscoggin 
Lakes, it is by no means my last." 

At this moment George, who had been intently gazing out on the 
lake, jumped up excitedly, rushed to the forward part of the boat, and 
climbed up on deck, where, steadying himself by the flagpole, he 
looked through his glass at some object in the water, off on the star- 
board bow. 

As everybody turned to 
see what had started him so 
suddenly, he cried out, "A 
deer ! a deer ! don't you see 
it? It is swimming for the 
shore." 

There was a flurry ot 
excitement at this announce- 
ment, and all who had 
glasses levelled them in the direction George indicated. 

" Chase him, captain ! " cried Dick ; " we can run him down." 
" I don't think w^e can. It's a large buck, and they swim very fast, 
and he is a mile away from us now." 

" Head the boat towards him, and I will Xxy a shot," said one 
of the Boston party, who opened his gun-case and brought forth 
a rifle. 

The captain swung the boat towards the deer, and the gendeman 
went forward where George stood, and loaded his rifle. 

" I can't run over that way very far," remarked the captain, "because 
it is shoal. And if we should run aground going at full speed, loaded 




CANOES AT SUNDAY COVE. 



268 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



as deep as we are now, it would take us all day to get afloat again, and 
that would not be very pleasant." 

"True enough," observed Mr. Arden. "I would not take any 
risks, Captain." 

The gentleman now tried a shot at the deer, but did not come 
within twenty yards of him. He said he would fire again when the 
boat was a little nearer, for the steamer was now fast overhauling the 
deer. 




A DEER CHASE ON UMBAGOG LAKE. 



" Give it to him now," urged the parson, who, like the others, had 
become interested in the chase. 

The gentleman brought his rifle to his shoulder; but just as he 
pulled the trigger the captain put the wheel hard a port, bringing the 
deer abeam, and causing the rifle bullet to bury itself in the water, at 
least a quarter of a mile from the deer. 

" What did you do that for ? " called back the gentleman rather 
sharply ; " you spoiled my shot," 

" Better spoil your shot than keep you here all day and perhaps 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 269 

half the night," laughed the captain. " The bottom is getting too near 
us ; we should have been fast in the mud a minute later. See how 
roily the water is. The keel touched bottom when I made the turn." 

" All right ; I forgive you," said the gentleman, as he came aft and 
put up his rifle. " But I should have liked to capture that fellow." 

" He is wading to the shore now," observed Grace. 

" Yes," added Dick ; " and there he goes into the woods. That is 
the last we shall see of him." 

When the steamer was back on her regular course, the captain 
pointed out the Inlet, where the Rapid River swiftly joined the lake, 
after its impetuous five-mile flight, and nearer to them a pretty head- 
land called Pine Point. Opposite, on the starboard side, was Moose 
Point, its name commemorative of the time where, years before, whole 
families of moose had taken to the shallow water near it to feed on the 
succulent lily pads, or to escape from the irritating attacks of black 
flies and midges. 

" Are you going to the foot of the lake now, captain ? " asked one 
of the gentlemen, who had joined them at Sunday Cove. 

" No, sir. But we have to run down to a point about opposite of 
Moll's Rock before we can get into the Androscoggin River." 

"Where is Moll's Rock?" 

" Off on the starboard bow, where you see that tent on the shore." 

The attention of the Boston people was now called to the view of 
the White Mountains by Mr. Arden, and the passengers exchanged 
ideas on the scenery and surroundings. Under the skilful guidance of 
the captain, assisted by sundry stakes driven into the bottom to mark 
the deepest water, the steamer crossed the bar, and entered the river 
to follow its crooked and sinuous channel. The ladies who had taken 
the steamer at Sunday Cove soon noticed the beautiful water lilies, and 
made so many remarks about them, that the captain would have been 



270 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



hard-hearted indeed if he had not taken their hints, and stopped for a 
few moments, while his fair passengers surfeited their desires for the 
sweet-scented water flowers. The ladies remarking that they had not 
seen any lilies on the lakes above, the captain assured them that 
Umbagog Lake was the only one in the chain where these beautiful 
blossoms were at all plenty. 
The engineer then took 
pick-pole and pushed the 
steamer away from the pads, / 




CAMl'KXG ULT UX MULL'i KuCK. 



after reversing the 
wheel four or five turns to 
ofet the stems off the shaft, 
the boat was started, and, 
when clear from the stems and pads, continued at full speed down river. 
Just below the mouth of the Magalloway they saw a very large bald 
eagle perched on top of an old tree that projected over the river. 
The gentleman who had fired at the deer took out his rifle and blazed 
away at old Baldy, and struck the under part of the limb on which he 
was sitting. The bird uttered a hoarse and defiant screech, and spread- 
ing his huge wings sailed away over the forest. 



THROUGH THE IVILDS. 



271 



After this they passed several Hocks of ducks, the antics of the little 
ones causing them no inconsiderable amusement. Lucie said they 
looked like little puff-balls, and that she should like to have one. At 
the head of the Big- Meadow they saw a blue heron stalking solemnly 

along the bank, and the 
gentleman tried his rifle 
again, but with ill-suc- 
cess, as the bird gave 
itself a shake, and flew 
lazily away down the 
river. 

At this point the 
steamer whistled to let 
BraofSf know there were 
passengers for him, and 
the noise friorhtened 
two or three muskrats 
who were sitting on the 
river bank, and they 
jumped into the river 
and swam away. At 
the foot of the meadows 
they passed a large 
party of campers on 
shore, who looked as 
rough as a band of gypsies. They had two teams, and three skinny- 
looking horses, and near two tents a fire was burning. The campers 
stopped whate\'er they were doing, and stared with open-mouthed 
astonishment at the steamer and its passengers, as the boat shot 
swiftly past them. 




A SHOT AT A BALD EAGLE. 



^1- 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



In answer to an inquiry from one of the ladies, the captain informed 
his passengers that the campers were from some place back in the 
country, and had come to the river for fish and berries, the latter grow- 
ing plentifully along the banks. 

" They don't catch any trout here," said Ned. 

" No. It is pickerel they are after. They salt them down in butter- 
firkins, and carry them home. I have seen fifty people at a time strung 







CAMPING AT FOOT OF BIG MEADOW. 



along the river in different places during August and September, some 
of whom had come a hundred and fifty miles from their homes, and 
rode all the way behind just such old plugs as you saw at that camp." 

" What a taste ! " cried George in disgust. " Salted pickerel ! " 

" That would be as bad as sauerkraut for me," added Ned. 

" Or Limburger cheese," put in the parson. 

As the steamer ran alongside the wharf, Bragg drove up in a Con- 
cord wagon with a pair of horses. He brought nothing but the mail. 
He exchanged greetings with the Van Wyck party, and the captain 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



273 



notified him that he had five passengers who wished to go to Dixville 
Notch. 

The Boston party bade their fellow-voyagers good-morning, and 
expressed the hope of meeting them again, and going on shore cHmbed 
into the wagon. Their baggage was landed ; and the steamer pointing 
her prow up river, sent a parting whistle after her late passengers, 
which, much to the jolly landlord's delight, set his horses to dancing, 
and was soon out of sieht. 

" Now for the Magalloway and Aziscohos ! " cried Dick with enthu- 
siasm, when they could no longer see the landing. 

" Yes ; and won't it be fun ! " chimed in Grace. 

•' I will show you some fun now," added the captain, who had over- 
heard the remark. 

The steamer was then nearly up to the campers, and the captain 
slanted the boat in a little, then ran close along the shore. As they 
passed the camp, the captain pulled the whistle twice, and the horses, 
which were only tethered by halters, at the unusual noises so near 
them, pricked up their ears, and exhibiting more life than you would 
have supposed they possessed, broke their fastenings, and kicking their 
heels into the air, started off on the road in different directions, much 
to the amusement of the steamer's passengers, but to the evident dis- 
gust of the campers who started in pursuit of them. 

Half an hour brought them to the Magalloway, than which there is 
no more beautiful or crooked river in the world. Turning to port, the 
steamer entered it, startling a flock of ducks from their feeding. The 
principal characteristics of the stream were similar to the Androscoggin. 
There were the same beautifully wooded banks, with many overhang- 
ing trees. Numerous old firs were covered with trailing moss. But 
the turns in the Magalloway were sharper, and twice as numerous; and 
the additional attraction of mountains was here presented, there being 
one or more constantly in view. 



2 74 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

As they steamed up the river the captain pointed out to them the 
place where, a few years ago, a boat containing two persons was over- 
turned, one of whom lost his life. It was in the spring, when the 
stream, swollen to twice its natural size by the fast-melting snows of 
winter, sent down a dangerously swift current, and the water about the 
temperature of ice. A physician, accompanied by a man to row him, 
started from the foot of the lake in a small boat to visit a patient up 
the Magalloway. They reached their destination safely ; but on their 
return, the boat when only a short distance from the mouth of the river 
struck a snag that ran out from the bank under water, and was in- 
stantly capsized. The doctor was a good swimmer, while his companion 
could not swim a stroke. But in spite of the fact he was drowned, 
while the oarsman escaped. The doctor was loaded down with thick 
clothing and a large overcoat, which probably injured his chances of 
safety. The oarsman managed to hang to the boat when it overturned, 
and floated down the river with it, until it lodofed agfainst the bank, 
where he made his way to the shore. He was so cold and exhausted 
from his exposure that it was some time before he recovered suf- 
ficiently to walk, and then he started through the woods, and, after a 
hard tramp reached Errol and related his sad story. A party of men 
was formed to look for the doctor, and two weeks later his lifeless body 
was found floatinof down the river. 

A half mile above, as the steamer turned a sharp bend, they came 
upon three men in a boat fishing. They were rough, uncouth-looking 
fellows ; and one of them tipped up a flask and took a drink as the 
steamer passed them, while the others waved their hats. 

" I should think those fellows were in danger of getting capsized if 
they drank too much whiskey," remarked George, as they left the boat 
behind, " and what a fearful-looking craft that was." 

" Yes, a regular old tub," answered the captain. " Isn't safe to 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



275 






cross the river in. But you can't get one of those fellows drunk ; they 
are steeped in liquor all the time. As old Bill Burnham used to say, 
' They can't hold enough to make them drunk.' " 

As the boat progressed up the river the passengers became more 
and more enthusiastic over the beauties of the wonderland through 
which they were travelling. 

" There is Pulpit Rock," remarked the captain, pointing to a large 
bowlder on the right bank of the river. "It is a favorite spot for 

camping-parties, there being 
a good spring of water near 
it. And right there," indi- 
cating a spot nearly in the 
middle of the river, "and 
about three feet under 
water, is the ugliest rock 
ever planted for a steam- 
boat to land on. That is 
why I hug the port side of 
the river." 

They passed many low places along their route that were submerged 
by the high waters of spring, where the trees had been killed. Many 
of these were knotted and knarled, of fantastic shape, with long 
moss trailing down from their broken limbs, and swinging in the 
wind, presenting in the twilight a startling and weird appearance. 

Occasionally they looked back to see a long vista of shimmering 
water, nearly over-arched with trees, ending in the dark green forests 
as they came together at a bend in the river. 

A mile above Pulpit Rock, after turning one of the numerous curves 
in the river, they came to another long bend, and here, as the captain 
informed them, he "jumped the river bank;" or, in other words, he 




A DRY CROWD. 



276 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



passed through a narrow, artificial cut on the left bank of the river, 
called the " cut off," thus saving about a quarter of a mile. Beyond 
here the river made a sweep toward the road, which came into sight 
at a point called Bear Brook, spanned by a tumble-down looking 
wooden bridge, whose abutments were formed of loose logs piled one 
on top of another at right angles to the road, and these were 
kept in proper position on the banks of the stream by perpendicular 
logs, the lower ends being driven into the mud, and the upper 
mortised into the 



cross-timbers. The 
construction was 
novel, and I should 
judge original. 

At the mouth of 
Bottle Brook stood 
a rude log cabin, 
noted as being the first house seen 
in ascending the river, and also as 
once having been the residence of 
an old Indian squaw, who had a 
young white husband, a fellow probably with more stomach than brains. 
It being rocky off the mouth of the brook, the navigation at this point 
is considered a little hazardous, and the steamer was slowed down 
while making the turn in the river opposite the log cabin. 

Some twenty minutes or more brought them to another house, a 
small story and a half frame building, on the left bank of the river, 
which the captain called " Chases." It stood at the base of a neck 
of land which ran a long distance into the river, making the sharpest 
turn they had yet encountered. This, the captain informed them, 
was " Sharp Shins." Half a mile beyond and they had reached the 




'ip- 



ON THE MAGALLOWAY. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 277 

" Lower Landing," and the steamer was stopped a few moments to 
discharge some freight, and the mail-bag was dehvered to a boy 
who was in waiting to carry it to tlie post-office. 

From this point to the hotel owned by the Berlin Mills Company, 
where they were to stop, the captain informed them, was by road 
only a mile and three-quarters, while by the steamer's course on the 
river the distance was six miles. 

The farther they ascended the rSver, the stronger grew the current ; 
and it took them an hour to make the Upper Landing, directly 
opposite the hotel. At one place along the course they sailed two 
miles, and only made a few rods advance on their route, the captain 
showing them the narrow strip of land dividing the two parts of the 
river. As they ran into the landing, they passed a huge bowlder in 
the middle of the stream, against which the current dashed, only to 
be thrown back and divided, uniting again below the rock. 

" I should think navigation was dangerous up here. Captain" said 
Mr. Van Wyck, " for I can see quite a number of rocks in the river." 

" It is unless you have plenty of water. We can't run up here 
but a few days longer. There is a set of rips half a mile below here 
that the steamer will soon drag on." 



278 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE BERLIN MILLS HOUSE. GUNNING AND FISHING. ASCENT OF AZIS- 

COHOS. FROM BROWN FARM TO ERROL. DEPARTURE OF THE GIRLS. 




S the boat shot into the landing-, it was met by a 
motley crowd of natives, and it looked as if the 
whole town had turned out to greet them. There 
was no wharf; but the steamer was laid broadside 
to the bank, and a plank being passed on board, 
all landed without difficulty. Mr. Lowe, the land- 
lord of the hotel, a wide-awake, pleasant-looking fellow, greeted them, 
and asked them to leave their grips at the landing, and he would take 
them to the house. 

" Any passengers to go down, Mr. Lowe ? " 

" Yes, Cap ; there are five. I did not know you were coming up 
here, and I sent them down to the ' lower landino-.' " 

" All right. We will pick them up on our way down. Shove her 
off, Eugene." 

" Can't you stop and have some dinner, Cap?" 

" I guess not, it is so late. Besides, we have our dinner on the 
boat, and can eat it going down." 

" Come up for us on Monday," called out Mr. Van Wyck, as the 
steamer turned her bow down river. 

" All right, sir. I'll be here at one o'clock," and the captain 
waved his cap to the ladies, who were swinging their handkerchiefs. 
The road was close to the top of the river bank, and the hotel 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



279 



just opposite. The whole party walked over to it, passing- through 
the crowd of gaping rustics, and found a group upon the piazza 
inspecting a string of fish that one of the gentlemen and his guide 
had taken that morning up the Diamond. The party halted a 
moment to inspect the trout, and then passed into the house. 

Mr. Lowe shortly made his appearance with their luggage and 
showed them to rooms, and then departed to see about their dinner, 




A CAMPING-PARTY AT HOME. 

returninor after his p-uests had come down-stairs with the welcome 
announcement that dinner would be ready in half an hour. 

"Thank the Lord for that!" exclaimed Dick fervendy aside to 
Grace. " I am about starved." 

" So am I. I believe I could eat pickles and slate-pencils if 
there were nothing else forthcoming." 

While waiting for dinner, the party strolled out on the piazza 
and scanned the surroundings. They found the house faced west, 



28o THROUGH THE WILDS. 

and stood almost in front of Mount Dustan, they had so often 
noticed from the lake. Above it, higher up the river, were the 
Diamond Peaks, and Half Moon Mountains. The settled part of 
the valley extended some three miles below them and about six 
above, terminating- at Aziscohos Falls. A covered bridge spanned 
the river a short distance above them, and the country road to 
Errol crossed it. The landscape views, both up and down the river, 
were fine, and presented many choice bits for an artist's pencil ; 
and the parson, despite the pangs of hunger, was hastily transferring 
to his book an outline sketch of Dustan. Before he could finish it, 
the ringing of a bell announced dinner, and all found their way 
to the dininof-room. Havinof taken breakfast at seven o'clock, while 
it was now two, they were all really hungry, and enjoyed the 
bountiful repast spread before them. 

Dinner over, and there was a scatteringr. 

George and Dick, with Grace and Lucie, started off for a stroll 
toward Sturdivant Pond, the boys taking their guns with them, as 
Mr. Lowe had spoken encouragingly of their finding partridges in the 
vicinity, besides telling them about a deer shot in the pond while 
swimming across the summer before, and this tempting bait had 
determined the boys to carry their fire-arms. Nellie and Maud, with 
Ned and the parson, hired a boat belonging to the hotel, and rowed 
up the river. The old people, feeling rather disinclined for any more 
"Exercise that day, passed the afternoon at the hotel as best suited 
their fancies. 

It was six o'clock when the boating-party returned, bringing some 
twenty trout. The parson had not taken his rod, but had made 
a sketch of the falls on the Diamond, and another of a party who 
were camping on the Magalloway. He reported the water rather 
low in the river in some places, and they had been obliged to push 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



281 



the boat along with their oars instead of rowing. " And I tell you 
what," he added with enthusiasm, " I never saw such a country as 
this ; the farther you get into it the prettier it is." Of the fish, the 
girls had taken eight and Ned the other twelve ; and the latter 
declared that if the whole party had been provided with rods and 
lines, they might have caught all they could carry. 

"Where did you catch your trout, Ned?" asked George, after 




CAMPING ON THE MAGALLOWAV RIVER. 



the fisherman had returned from the kitchen, where he had left his 
finny prize. 

" At the Falls. There was a dam there." 

" I would like to know where you can go in this country without 
finding a dam? Half of the natives carry them in their mouths," 
put in George quickly. 

" Now, don't give us any more of that," replied his friend, " or I 
shall leave you, because it makes me weak." 

" Well, fire away then," said George, the smile fading out of his 
face. 



282 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" We had the best luck near the dam," resumed Ned. " We did 
not go up the Diamond with the boat. We passed it, and landed a 
short distance above on the west side of the Magalloway at a sort of 
ferry. Then followed a path that led through a man's wood- shed, 
struck a pasture, crossed that, and entered a road which ran up the 
right-hand side of the river, and followed that till we reached the 
Falls." 

" Much of a walk?" 

" No ; and a very pleasant one. What luck did you have ? " 

" We brought back thirteen partridges." 

" You don't mean it ! 

" Honest Injun ! Ask the girls." 

" Yes, we did," added Lucie. 

" I'll tell you how it was," continued George. " We went out 
back of the barn, and started up over the hill. We soon reached 
some small spruces, with hard wood intermixed, and we worked our 
way through that towards the pond. When we were well into the 
forest, we flushed a flock of partridges that must have contained 
fifteen or twenty. In fact, I should think they were holding a 
convention. I saw them first, and let drive both barrels. Dick, 
who had the parson's gun, followed, and we bagged seven at the 
first fire. The others flew, but after skirmishino- around awhile w^e 
found two of them and shot those. Then we continued on to the 
pond. After we found it we followed around the shore towards its 
head, until the girls began to feel tired, then resting awhile, we made 
a circuit route back toward the house, and on our return ran across 
some more birds which I think were a part of the first lot we saw, 
and we knocked over four of those. They are fat as butter, although 
of course not full grown ; and I tell you, my boy, they will make good 
eating." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



283 



" How long have you been back to the house?" 
" Came in about half an hour ahead of you." 

"There is the supper-bell," said Grace, and the conversation was 
brought suddenly to a close. 

During the evening their plans were completed for the ascent of 




r^ 



SHOOTING PARTRIDGES. 



the mountain, and the entire party retired to rest quite early, so as to 
be strong for the next day's jaunt. The young people were very anx- 
ious in regard to the weather for the next day ; but Mr. Van Wyck told 
them it would not make a bit of difference, no matter how much they 



284 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



worried, and they had better dismiss the subject from their mind and 
go to bed. His advice was accepted. 

In the night there were heavy showers ; but certainly one could not 
wish for a more pleasant morning than greeted George and Lucie, who 
were the first to make their appearance. The rain had laid the dust 
and cooled the air, which for the past three days had been rather 
oppressive, and the pearly raindrops on the grass and flowers and 
trees gave them a perfume and freshness that had been wanting for 
some time. The sun was shining brightly, and it was altogether 
lovely. 

" Certainly we have many things to thank God for," remarked 
Lucie, as she and George sauntered up and down the piazza. 

" We have, indeed. And although we appreciate them, and feel 
thankful for favors received in our own careless way, still we are not 
half thankful enough." 

" You are ahead of us," said Grace, appearing at this moment ; 
" where are the others ?" 

" Not down yet," replied Lucie ; " but here come the boys." 

" Capital morning, this," remarked Dick, saluting them : " couldn't 
have a better day for our purpose. I see it rained last night." 

" Yes," returned Grace ; " and how fresh and beautiful everything 
looks ! I should like to be at home this morning and go to church." 

" Well," suggested George, " we can worship to-day as the old 
Scotch covenanters used to — from the tops of the mountains." 

Just then the elder people made their appearance, and the sound 
of the bell gave token that breakfast was ready. 

After the morning meal, an hour slipped by while they were mak- 
ing preparation ; but at nine o'clock, when the wagons were brought 
to the door, they were ready. The young people took possession of 
the first one, with Mr. Lowe for driver, and the old folks, with the 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



285 



hired man for driver, in the odier. As diey started off the " stay-at- 
homes," who were assembled on the piazza, wished them a good time 
and a clear day. 

They followed the road to the upper settlement, and, as the wagons 
were without covered tops, had an uninterrupted view of the lovely 
valley up which they were driving. The singular shaped Diamond 
Peaks and Half-Moon Mountain on their left, with Aziscohos on their 
right, were the principal mountain features, although there were numer- 
ous other smaller 
peaks. Some of the 
houses by which 
they passed bore 
evident marks of 
age, and one or two 
in the valley, it is 
said, can claim a 
hundred years. Cu- 
rious faces, both old 
and young, peered 
at them with aston- 
ishment from the 
windows of the houses along their route ; and when the party met 
pedestrians, as they sometimes did, the natives would stare at the 
strangers while they were passing, and then watch them out of 
sight. 

The appearance of these well-dressed and pleasant-looking tourists, 
was a break in the monotony of their narrow existence, and would 
furnish them food for talk and gossip for many days to come. So far 
from the busy world were the lives of these people passed, that things 
of the most trivial character to a city person became of the highest 




THE DIAMOND PEAKS. 



286 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

importance to them, and were remembered for days and months after- 
wards. 

Those hving along the valley are generally well-to-do country 
people ; and one old fellow, whom report says can neither read nor 
write, who has lived there for many years, it is said has amassed eight 
or ten thousand dollars, a fortune in that country. This money was 
acquired by the most rigid economy and by denying themselves of 
every luxury and many of the actual necessaries of every-day life. In 
his earlier years, his wife and himself would sit at home evenings, 
she knitting socks and mittens, and he making axe-handles by what 
light the fire afforded, not using candles on account of the expense. 

But even in this out-of-the-way corner of the world, the spirit of 
speculation is rampant. It takes the shape of a desire to do a " little 
loggin' ; " and when once indulged in, unless quickly nipped, gener- 
ally proves the ruin of the farmer. For in this business he nearly 
always loses, while the large operators and the wealthy lumbering 
companies make the money. One of these farmers will take a con- 
tract to " put in " from half a million to a million feet. It is needless 
to say that all the fat of the contract is on the lumber company's side. 
They furnish the supplies (provisions), at a large profit, advance the 
farmer a little money, charge him roundly for stumpage, and hold a 
lien on all the logs he cuts, until they are made whole. The result 
generally is that the small operator comes out in the spring in debt 
to the lumber company. So he must log the next winter to pay that, 
which leaves him deeper in debt, and unless he has the nerve to shut 
down on the business with what experience he has already bought, he 
generally loses all he has. And the number of this class of unfortu- 
nates in this back country is by no means small, if the writer can 
believe what he has been told. 

Window glass seems to be either a scarce or very expensive article 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 287 

in the valley, judging by the number of old hats, bonnets, newspapers, 
and every conceivable substitute, appearing in the windows of some of 
the houses. Bare-footed urchins, and girls in the same condition, some 
of whom must have been fourteen or fifteen years of age, met them as 
they rode along, and gazed at them with wondering eyes and open 
mouths. Berry-pickers were numerous ; and from time to time several 
men and boys were seen, with fish-poles across their shoulders, head- 
ing for the river. 

The country road at last ended by a gate crossing it. Mr. Lowe, 
who was ahead, jumped down and opened it, and George drove through. 
Then the landlord resumed his place, leaving the gate open for the 
other driver to close. The road now ran through a pasture, and 
reached another gate, and still another before ending at " Clark's." 
where they stopped, this being the end of their route with horses. 

When the second team arrived Mr. Lowe directed the driver to put 
up the horses in Clark's barn, and then follow them with the lunch, 
part of which the landlord carried with him ; he also took a light axe 
to cut out any troublesome windfalls. 

When the ladies were ready to start Mr. Lowe led the way. They 
crossed a field, then passed through a gate and followed a rough tote 
road that led to the head of the falls. After a few minutes' walk Mr. 
Lowe left the cart road, striking into a path from the right-hand side 
of the road, leading up into the woods. After following the path for a 
quarter of a mile, their guide told them the rest of the way was per- 
fectly plain, and they would find no difficulty in following the trail, and 
that he would go on ahead to remove any obstructions that might be 
troublesome to the ladies. With that he left them, and they saw no 
more of him until they reached the summit. 

The ascent at first was very gradual, but the farther they went the 
steeper grew the way. But the footing nearlv the entire distance was 



288 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



excellent, and there was very little danger, with ordinary care, of sprains 
or falls. As they penetrated deeper into the woods, the heat increased, 
but very little wind getting to them, and they were compelled to stop 
frequently and rest, and wipe the moisture from their faces. They 
crossed several spark- 
ling streams that came 
tumbling down the 
mountain side, and at 
these places drinking 
cups were in demand. 
As they climbed slowly 
upwards they occasion- 
ally came to rough 
spots where the ladies 
were glad to avail 
themselves of a help- 
ing hand from some of 
the gentlemen. The 
last half-mile, through 
stunted firs, spruces, 
and cedars, was a great 
deal like work, but the 
path continued good. 
Finally they cleared the woods, and beheld Mr. Lowe, standing on the 
highest ledge of the northern peak, awaiting them. He swung his 
hat to them as they appeared, and the young people cheered and 
waved their handkerchiefs. After coming out on the flattened summit 
of the mountain, it was yet quite a climb to the peak where the land- 
lord stood. But in fifteen minutes they had all gained it and sat down 
to rest. 




THE GUIDE ON THE SUMMIT. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 289 

The weather still continued to smile on them, and it was as clear 
a day as they could wish. The rain of the night before had taken all 
of the haze out of the air, and the most distant peak cut the turquoise 
blue of the sky like a cameo. A light breeze from the south-west 
swept across the mountain, and fanned their flushed and fevered faces 
with its delicious coolness. 

The peak on which they now reclined appeared to be about five 
hundred feet above the southern one. While the one upon which they 
rested was entirely bare, the opposite one had a few bushes and stunted 
trees that kept up a desperate struggle with the forces of nature for a 
bare subsistence. The distance between the two peaks was about a 
mile, over a rough pathway of loose rocks. All around them were 
huge bowlders, torn from the massive head of the old mountain by the 
lightning and frosts. There were many seams and fissures, running 
down to a depth of twenty or thirty feet, and undoubtedly the work 
of destruction is steadily progressing. 

While the party were enjoying the view, the other driver appeared 
with the balance of the lunch, and, assisting Mr. Lowe, they soon had 
a fire going, fed by dry roots and mosses, and over this a kettle of tea 
was hung to steep. This ready, the luncheon was opened, and all 
were invited to partake, the two drivers waiting on the party to the 
best of their ability. Bread and butter, cold meats, cheese, doughnuts, 
and tea comprised the meal, which was partaken of amid laughter and 
jests on all sides. 

The ladies were not used to such strong tea as Mr. Lowe brewed, 
and missed their accustomed milk. But the entire meal was a novelty 
to them, and after the appetites they had awakened from their unusual 
exertions, they were little disposed to be fastidious. The party ate 
from their hands, no dishes having been brought, with the exception 
of half a dozen tin dippers for the tea, and those were passed from 



290 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



one to the other as occasion required. As Mr. Lowe said, " It was 
about all he and the driver wanted to sack the grub up, without 
lugging dishes." 

When all had finished eating, an hour was devoted to sight-seeing 
and another to rambling to the farther peak and back. 

From the top of Mount Aziscohos you gaze upon a forest wilder- 
ness, bounded only by the blue sky in which it is lost. A grand 




DINNER ON AZISCOHOS. 



upheaval of mountain peaks and ranges, many of which are wooded to 
their summits. Circle upon circle of billowy ridges, their tops green or 
gray, extending from beneath you to the utmost limit of your sight. 
This is the first impression of the view as it bursts upon your bewil- 
dered gaze. Afterward you have time to notice that between nearly 
all of these mountains are ponds, lakes, or rivers. Indeed, I doubt if 
there is a mountain in New England from whose summit you can 



THROUGH THE WILDS. .291 

distinctly see and count so many other mountains and so many pieces 
of water as from this one. I have cHmbed more than the average 
number of mountains allotted to most men, and I have never found its 
equal in this respect. I could not name half of the mountains and 
pieces of water seen from the summit of old Aziscohos, and I doubt if 
it has ever been visited by any one who could. 

Some of the principal ranges and peaks seen and known arc, the 
Half-Moon, Dustan, Moose, Blue, Sawyer, Deer, Kennebago, Saddle- 
back, the Bigelow Peaks, Swan, Bald Pate, Speckled Mountain, 
Mount Katahdin, the higher peaks of the White Mountains, Mount 
Chocorua and the Boundary Mountains. The entire chain of the 
Androscoggin Lakes, the Richardson Ponds, Beaver Ponds, Sturdivant 
Ponds, the Androscoggin, Magalloway, Kennebago, and Rangeley 
Rivers are but a few of the bodies of water. The occasional small 
clearines are but white islands amid the vast green ocean, and do 
not detract from the wildness of the view one particle. 

In our opinion a small house will be built on the summit of Azis- 
cohos at no distant day for the accommodation of tourists, for that the 
mountain is destined some time to become famous in the eye of those 
who love the beauties of nature is beyond cavil or doubt. 

Under a cairn of stones, on the highest peak, a tin box is kept for the 
receptacle of cards and communications that visitors may choose to 
make, and over those already in the box the party paused half an 
hour, and then added their own " last will and testament," as Dick 
expressed it. 

In the summer of 1882 the U. S. Signal Coast Survey established 
a station on Aziscohos, and erected a beacon on the highest peak for 
some scientific purpose. It has since been blown down by a 
hurricane. 

Before going down the mountain, the party grouped on the barren 



292 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

ledge at the request of Mr. Van Wyck, and with uncovered heads sang- 
those glorious hymns, " Nearer, my God, to Thee," " Let Your Lower 
Lights be Burning," and " America," after which he made a short and 
appropriate prayer, thanking God for the mercies vouchsafed to them, 
and for the pleasures they had by his help enjoyed while on their trip. 
Surely no more hearty service, or no more fitting tribute, ascended to 
the Almighty that day than went up from one of his own pulpits, on 
that barren mountain in the middle of a Maine wilderness, five thousand 
feet above the sea. 

Before returning to the team they stopped and chatted a few 
minutes with two young fellows who were camping below on the 
river, and who had come up on the mountain that forenoon, and 
who intended to stay on the summit over night, to get the sunset 
and sunrise from the highest elevation in that section of the 
country. Where the scrub spruce ended and the barren rock alone 
remained, they had extemporized a rude shelter for one night, 
which they had christened " Bleak House ; " and a very bleak house 
the ladies thought it was. 

On their way down, Mr. Lowe pointed out both bear and moose 
tracks, that were fresh, and told them the animals had been there 
within a day or two. When they had made half the distance, the 
drivers left the party, for the purpose of harnessing the horses and 
getting all ready for a start. This they accomplished ; for when the 
party reached Clark's, they had only to step into the wagons, and 
the horses trotted gayly homewards, arriving at the hotel in an 
hour. 

Afterward refreshed by sundry ablutions and an excellent supper, 
they gathered in the parlor, where was a very good organ, and passed 
the evening in singing. 

The next forenoon was passed quietly at the house by the older 



\ 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



293 



people, while the younger ones went up the river boating, but returned 
to the hotel in season for dinner. About quarter of one they heard 
the steamboat whistle, and immediately put on their things and went 
over to the landing. The steamer was in sight, and a few moments later 
had reached the river bank and was tied up. There were three ladies and 
gentlemen on board who were to stop at Magalloway, and after they 
had landed the ladies of the Van \V}'ck part)^ were helped on board, 




BLEAK HOUSE, MOUNT AZISCOHOS. 

and the gentlemen followed. In the mean time, the captain and engi- 
neer were tumbling seven or eight Saratoga trunks out on the landing. 
As the last one went on the pile, the captain gave a sigh of relief, and, 
pushing the steamer's bow around, she steamed down. 

" These people seem to have plenty of baggage," remarked Mr. 
Van Wyck to the captain, who was mopping his face with his handker- 
chief after his recent exertion. 

"I should think they did. Six people — eight Saratoga trunks. 



294 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

Now, ain't that a pretty sight," pointing to the pile of baggage on 
shore that was being surveyed by Mr. Lowe with a great deal of disgust, 
" to bring up into such a country as this. And there were two of those 
trunks that would weigh from three hundred and fifty to four hundred 
pounds, if they would weigh an ounce. Then they had valises and 
bags, bundles in shawl-straps, and I don't know what else. And the 
man who paid the fares growled like a western tornado because I 
charged him two dollars extra on the baggage," 

"They must be a mean crowd," said George, " not to be willing to 
pay two dollars extra on such a pile of stuff as that. They have 
enough baggage there for a theatrical company. It will take Lowe and 
his man all the afternoon to get it to the house and up to their rooms." 

" Yes, and perhaps that is a job he'll like," returned the captain with 
a grin. " But what kind of a time did you have ? It was a lovely day 
yesterday." 

" Charming ! " and George gave the captain an interesting account 
of their excursion. 

The steamer made a quick run down river, and reached Errol Dam 
at three o'clock. The Van Wyck party bade the captain good-by, and 
the boys promised to be at the landing the next forenoon to go up river 
with him. 

Mr. Bragg was not there when the steamer arrived ; and the captain 
was just on the point of leaving when the jolly landlord and one of his 
sons drove up in two vehicles with eight passengers, who were going 
down to Cambridge to stay a few days. 

" You're behind time," cried the captain, as the horses drove up in 
front of the boat. 

" No, I'm not — I'm behind a pair of horses," chuckled the landlord, 
and then he jumped down and helped his passengers to alight. 

There were five gentlemen and three ladies in the party from the 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



295 




hotel, and they with their baggage were quickly transferred to the 
steamer, and she started up river, giving several loud whistles as a 
farewell. 

The Van Wyck party now filled the seats in the wagons, and were 
quickly driven to the hotel. 

About five o'clock Mr. Marston made his appearance with a 

large carriage 
drawn by six horses, 
capable of carrying 
the whole party, and 
the boys realized 
that they were soon 
to part with their 
pleasant friends. 

But they passed 
a jolly evening, — 
sang, and danced, 
and played games, 
even the older mem- 
bers of the party 
entering with zest into the sport, and, somewhat fatigued, they retired 
to rest at ten o'clock. 

Mr. Marston wished to start by eight o'clock, and Tuesday morning 
all were up in good season, and at seven o'clock they sat down to 
breakfast. 

In the time they had been together the party had become well 
acquainted, the younger members especially forming a strong attach- 
ment for each other, and the idea of separation caused them to be a 
little serious at the breakfast table. But the thought of the pleasant 
correspondence that would follow their separation soothed their feel- 



VIEW ON THE MAGALLOWAV, JUST ABOVE THE BRIDGE. 



296 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



ings somewhat ; and it was with hopeful, if not very cheerful, faces that 
the young people exchanged their farewells. The older people had 
observed nothing in the conduct of the boys to find fault with, while on 
the other hand, they had noticed a great deal to commend, and there- 
fore gave the young gentlemen a hearty invitation to visit them at their 
homes when an opportunity offered, an invitation which the youngsters 




THE DEPARTURE OF THE GIRLS. 



assured them they should avail themselves of at the earliest possible 
moment after their return home in the fall. 

The carriage was now brought to the door, the young fellows helped 
their friends in, the baggage was loaded on, and a moment later, amid 
the cheers of the boys, and an old shoe thrown by the landlord for 
luck, the wagon rattled over the covered bridge across the Androscog- 
gin, on its way to Berlin. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



297 




CHAPTER XI. 

RETURN TO LOWE's. CAMPING OUT. CAMP COOKING. A LITTLE DIFFI- 
CULTY. A TRIP TO DIAMOND PONDS. 

OOR Dick, I pity you," said the Parson, as the boys sat 
down on the piazza, after the wagon had disappeared from 
sight. 

"Do you?" indignantly. "You had better transfer 
some of it to yourself, you can hardly keep from crying 
now," and Dick, with mock sympathy, offered the Parson 
his pocket handkerchief. 

" Quit your fooling now, and attend to business," 
remarked George. " When we get up to Lowe's again, we had better 
pack up all our best clothes, and everything else we don't need in the 
woods, and send down to Cambridge by Captain Farwell, and they 
will be there when we return." 

" A good idea," acknowledged Dick. 

" We must arrange with Mr. Lowe this afternoon about stores and 
boats, and get everything in readiness for an early start somewhere 
to-morrow morning. I think it would be a good idea to go over to the 
Diamond Ponds and spend a few days. They are only about twelve 
miles distant from the Brown Farm, and there is a good road all the 
way. What do you say. fellows ? " 
" Anything for sport," cried Dick. 

" I go in for it," agreed Ned, " the more we see of this country the 
better." 



298 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" I am with you," chimed in the Parson. 

" Suppose we get our things down now, and then stroll over tow- 
ard the dam," suggested George. " Mr. Bragg can bring them over 
when he comes with the mail." 

" All right," said Dick. " But we have not settled our bill yet. 
Here, Parson, hunt Bragg up and pay the bill, and we will get your 
duds down with ours." 

The Parson, who was the treasurer of the party, paid the bill, while 
his friends brought down their baggage, and then the boys crossed the 
bridge over the river. Just as they were turning toward the dam, Dick 
suggested a visit to the one store which Errol boasted, to see if they 
could make any purchases. They went to the door, but it was locked ; 
and after banging away on it for a while, an old lady made her appear- 
ance on the inside and let them in. They found some amusement in 
looking over the stock, it was so different from that in the stores where 
they lived, there being almost everything in the room that one could 
think of. While they were looking around, a barefooted urchin came 
in with a hen's ^'g^, which he exchanged for peanuts, and a woman 
brought in a pair of mittens of her own manufacture, which she swapped 
for sugar. The boys bought a few needles, pins, a spool of thread and 
another of silk, some buttons, and a paper of court-plaster. Then Dick 
suggested that the treasurer be allowed to treat from the general fund, 
and the others agreeing, the Parson bought two pounds of candy and 
four quarts of peanuts. 

These paid for, George noticed some hooks and lines, and invested 
in half a dozen ordinary lines, and a dozen fish-hooks. 

" I don't know how it is," he remarked, " but some of these country 
boys, with an old alder pole, and a common line and hook, with a 
bunch of worms on the end of it, take more trout than we do with our 
fancy rigging, and I am going to try their way of fishing some day," 



300 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" I can tell you the reason," laughed Dick. 

"What is it?" 

" They know where the trout are." 

Just as they were leaving the store, a man came in with a mink- 
skin, and wanted to trade it for molasses. 

"What next, I wonder?" observed George. "I would like to 
know if these people ever take any money. The old lady had three 
customers while we were there, and didn't get a cent out of them." 

" I'll bet she hasn't seen so much money before in a week as we 
paid her," asserted the Parson. 

" I guess they do mostly a barter business," added Ned. " Store- 
keepers down here have to take anything they can get." 

It was only ten o'clock when they reached the landing, and as the 
steamer would not be due for half an hour, Dick proposed they sit 
down on the bank and sample the candy and peanuts. No one object- 
ing, they threw themselves on the grass and the Parson opened the 
treat, and helping himself, told the others to do likewise. 

While sitting there, they heard the noise of wheels on the 
little bridge between them and the dam, and soon a single buck- 
board, rather the worse for wear, containing two old and " rough- 
looking Pilgrims," as Dick expressed it, passed them. It was drawn 
by a horse who had evidently seen his best days, and who, as Dick dryly 
remarked, " might have been fifty years or he might have been less; 
but the latter was doubtful." 

" Mornin'," said the man nearest them, as the buckboard rolled by. 

"Good-morning," replied George. "Are you going fishing?" 
Two bamboo poles as large round at the butts as a silver dollar, and 
twenty or thirty feet long, suggested the question. 
"Yes. Goin' pickerelin'." 
" Good luck to you," cried Dick. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



301 



" Thank ye, young man," and the old team rattled and jolted along 
just fast enough to keep the poor horse enveloped in a cloud of dust, 
what wind there was being with them. 

" What do you think of those for fishing-rods," inquired Dick of no 
one in particular, as the men passed out of hearing. 

" If you are speaking to me," returned George, " I should as soon 
think of using that pine on the river bank," and he pointed to a tree 
below them, about two /J feet in diameter and seventy-five 

feet high, and he smiled // /j at his own conceit. 

Just then the steamer J/ // whistled, and the Parson wrapped 
up the candy and peanuts. 










THE PICKEREL PARTY. 



"There are passengers on board," remarked George, "they are 
whistling for the team." 

Soon the litde steamer appeared in sight, and they could see that 
she was crowded. 

" She's a saucy looking craft," exclaimed Dick, as the steamer 
swept toward them. 

" Yes, she is, and a fast traveller too," said George. " See what a 
clean wake she leaves behind." 

The boat was close in on the opposite bank of the river, and as she 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 303 

reached the lower end of the wharf the captain threw the wheel hard-a- 
starboard, and rang for the engineer to slow down. Minding her helm 
instantly, the beautiful little boat made a complete circle, and swung in 
alongside the wharf, bow up the river, without even scarring her paint. 

" A neat landing, Captain ; good-morning, how are you ? " and 
George shook hands with the captain, and took the stern line and made 
it fast, while Dick caught the bow line. 

" I am nicely," returned the captain. " Going up this morning?" 

" Yes, sir ; we are." 

" Where's Bragg ? " 

" Has not come yet. He will be over in a moment with our things." 

" There he comes now," shouted Dick, as they heard a rattling on 
the bridge. 

Six ladies now left the steamer, and went up to the road, and their 
baggage was carried up to them. 

" I guess your clock was slow this morning," said the captain as 
Bragg made his appearance. 

" It's fast enough for you, any time," chuckled the landlord. " I 
don't like to o-et over here and wait an hour for the boat." 

*' Why, you old heathen, you know you are never here when we 
get here, that is, hardly ever." And then the captain thought what he 
had said, and his face turned white, and he looked about in affright. 

" All right. Captain. That was probably a slip. We won't hang you 
this time, but beware of the next offence. That remark has caused the 
death of several men in Boston," and George smiled, while the gentle- 
men on the boat who had heard the conversation roared with laughter. 

" Where are all these women going?" inquired Bragg in an aside 
of the captain. 

"To Dixville Notch. They are teachers off on a vacation. Look 
out you don't fall in love with one of them." 



304 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" No men with them ? " 

" No ; it is a goose party." 

** Where are those men on the boat going ? " 

" Up to Magalloway and back : they are making the round trip. 
But I must be off. Come, Bragg, show your gallantry. Don't you 
see the ladies are waiting for you to help them into the wagon ? " and 
the captain chucked the landlord under the ribs, and stepped on board 
the steamer. 

As they sailed up the river, the boys scraped acquaintance with the 
gentlemen on board, 
and found them very 
pleasant companions. 
NothinPf of unusual 
occurrence took place 
on their run up river, 
except that the cap- 
tain ran into Flint's 
landing, and stopped 
there. He told the 
boys that as the water 
in the river was stead- 
ily falling, he did not dare go to the upper landing. He whistled just 
above Bottle Brook for the team to come down, and again at Sharp 
Shins, and when the steamer reached the landing Mr. Lowe was there 
with his three-seated wagon, and a pair of horses. 

" Can we get dinner about here anywhere, captain ? " inquired one 
of the passengers as they all left the boat. 

" Yes, sir; this gentleman will drive you straight up to the hotel. 
I will wait until you return, but be quick as you can, please." 

Mr. Lowe and the captain loaded the boys' baggage on the wagon, 




STEAMER PARMACHENEE AT FLINT'S LANDING. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 305 

and George advised the captain that they should send some things 
down to the landing the next day, and they wanted them taken down 
to the Lakeside Hotel at Cambridge, for safe keeping until they put 
in an appearance there. 

" How long before you will be down ?" 

" Probably six weeks. Possibly eight." 

" You are going to have a pretty good time. The flies and mos- 
quitoes are gone now, and you can be comfortable." 

" I wish you were going with us, Captain." 

" So do I ; but I have my bread and butter to earn, you know." 

" All ready, boys," called Mr. Lowe. 

" Come on, George ; good-by. Captain," and Dick climbed to a 
seat, followed by his friends. 

Between the lower landing and the hotel were quite a number of 
houses the boys had not seen before, and some of these possessed 
peculiarities which caused the party to laugh. They passed one nice 
set of buildings when near the hotel, which upon inquiry they learned 
belonged to a Mr. Sturdivant, the wealthiest man in that section. A 
year or two before he had lost all his buildings by fire, and had now 
built them up again. Although there was not a fire-engine within 
forty or fifty miles of him, he had carried no insurance, and his property 
was a total loss. 

During the afternoon and evening the boys busied themselves in 
overhauling and sorting out, and packing up their things. All that 
they did not need they placed in their trunks and valises for transpor- 
tation to Cambridge, and the rest they packed in leather knapsacks, 
which they were to carry on their backs by means of straps, when they 
travelled in the woods. Their guns, rods, and axes, and some cooking 
utensils, would have to be carried in their hands when they left the 
water. They had no tent, having determined after a spirited argument 



3o6 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



on the subject to trust the weather, and exercise their ingenuity in 
building camps. 

The next morning after breakfast, Mr. Lowe took them up to 
Bennett's Landing in a boat, and leaving them on shore wished them 
"good luck." 

" When do you think you'll come back," he asked as he pushed off 
from the shore, and dipped his oars in the water. 

" In about a week, if the bears don't eat us up," replied George with 
a laugh. 

George helped the others shoulder their packs, and then swung up 



his own. They had 
on their shoulders, 
turns in bearing, 
each, and they found 
this about all the 
load they could car- 



ry, and as the sun \\1 



to carry their guns and their rods 
and the two axes, the four boys took 
Their packs weighed about fifty pounds 




ON THE TRAMP. 



grew higher and 
hotter, the sweat 
poured down their 
faces in streams, and 
George counselled a 
rest, wisely observ- 
ing that it was no use to get played out the first day. 

It was about eleven o'clock when they halted ; and George sent 
Dick out to see if he could raise any partridges, and the Parson to the 
river for a mess of trout, while he and Ned built a fire, made coffee, 
and prepared for dinner. 

" Now, Ned, get some wood and start a fire along side of that large 
rock to your left, and I will manufacture a table and seat." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



307 



Ned, grasping one of the axes, began hunting for fire-wood, while 
George with the other felled some small forked maples. He cut four 
of these the proper length, and drove them into the ground two feet 
apart one way, and six feet the other. Then he cut two small sticks a 
couple of inches in diameter, two feet and six inches long, and placed 
them in the forks of the table-legs. After which he cut about ten 
small maples, there being plenty in the vicinity. These last he made a 
little over six feet long, flattening them on one side with the axe, and 
then laid them on the cross-pieces. A couple of alder withes, one 
bound around each end of the table, made the whole thing complete 

and ready for the dishes. The same 
arranofement aloncr one side of the 



table, only lower, and with an extra 
pair of legs and cross-piece in the 
middle to resist the spring of the 
poles, furnished the seat. 

"You would make a good wood 
butcher," said Ned, as he came up 
sweltering under a huge armful of 
wood. " I'll be hanged if you haven't 
displayed a good deal of ingenuity in 
the construction of that table and bench. Ever make one before ? " 

"No ; but let us get a blaze going," and helping Ned they soon had 
a nice fire under way. 

" Now, Ned, if you are not too tired, I wish )ou would go over to 
that clump of alders, and cut down eight or ten of the largest, and 
bring them here, and cut them up into pieces eight or ten inches long. 
Alder makes the best coals for cooking you ever saw in )-our life. I 
shall have to draw on the river for a pail of water, before we can start 
the coffee ; " and George took from his knapsack something that looked 




CAMP FURNITURE. 



3o8 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

like a nest of tin plates, but which on a shake by him changed to the 
form of a ten-quart tin pail. 

" That is the boss tin pail, George : where did you find it ?" 

" Had it made to order. When we first talked of coming up here 
in the woods, I thought the thing over a great deal, and wondered 
what we would do for a pail, thinking it would be an unhandy article 
to lug around the woods. Then an idea struck me, and I acted upon 
it. I had seen a drinking-cup like this made of German silver, only 
without any bail. I bought one, carried it to a tinman I knew, told 
him what I wanted, and this pail is the result. It's a mighty handy 
thing, and I have half a mind to patent it. You see, when it is folded 
you can carry it in your blankets, valise, or knapsack, without any 
trouble in packing, and it is always ready to use." 

" George, you have a big head ! " and Ned patted him softly on 
his shoulder. " I should get that pail patented when you get home, 
and if you make a fortune I'll divide with you and take half." 

" You're very kind. But suppose you tackle the alders, while I go 
for the water." 

About half-past twelve Dick returned with a couple of partridges, 
and shortly afterward, Fred came in with fifteen small trout. George 
had the dishes, tin plates, and dippers, with common knives, forks, and 
spoons, on the table, and his coffee from the fire was sending forth a 
royal essence. 

" I wish I had carried a gun with me," said the Parson. " King- 
fishers were plenty where I was fishing ; I saw five or six." 

" Why do you wish to kill them ?" asked George. 

" Oh, for the fun of it. Then, they are a pretty bird to set up." 

"If you can give no better reason than that, I am glad you had 
nothing to shoot with. There is no fun in shooting just for the pleas- 
ure of killing ; and you could not keep the bird till we could get a 
chance to send it out, if you had shot it." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



309 



"That's so, George. And I am glad I had neither gun nor rifle 
with me, as I might have been tempted to use it," 

" I declare that coffee smells good ! " exclaimed Dick. " Phew! I 
tell you I took quite a tramp," and he mopped the perspiration from 
his forehead. 




THE KINGFISHERS. 

" Where did you find your partridges ? " inquired George. 
" About a mile away on a branch logging road." 
" See any more ? " 

"Two, but they flew. How are you going to cook these? I'm as 
hungry as a bear." 



3IO THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" I don't know. Let me think. Is there any clay or mud down to 
the river where you were fishing, Fred ? " 

" Yes, there was a clay bank near where I caught the last trout. I 
will go and show you." 

" Come on, then. But did you dress your fish ?" 

" Yes. I knew we couldn't eat them until they were cleaned." 

" Parson, you'll make a good backwoodsman in time: go ahead, and 
show us the clay," and George took the two partridges and followed 
his friend. 

When they reached the clay bank, George split open the birds 
and took out their entrails, cut off their heads and feet, then washed 
and laid them on a clean, smooth stone. Then taking some of the 
clay he kneaded it in water, until he made a soft paste and with this 
he covered the birds until they resembled two large balls of mud more 
than anything else in the world. The Parson watched him with wonder 
depicted on his countenance, and at last broke out : — 

"George, old fellow, what are you doing? You have spoiled 
those partridges." 

" Don't you believe it. Let's go up to camp. I hope Ned put 
some of those alder limbs on the fire. I told him to do it before we 
left." 

Ned had obeyed instructions, and they found a splendid bed of 
alder coals, and into these George unceremoniously plunged his 
"mud balls" as the Parson called them, and with a stick covered 
them completely with the coals. Then he cut up a few slices of pork, 
and placed in the frying-pan, and told Ned to hold it over the fire. 
While he rolled the trout in meal, he sent the Parson to the river with 
four good-sized potatoes to wash, and told him to place them under 
the coals on his return. 

When the pork had tried out, George laid the trout in the frying- 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



311 



pan, and in fifteen minutes, after being once turned, they were fried 
to a beautiful brown. They were then salted a little, and put on the 
back part of the fire to keep warm until the potatoes and partridges 
were cooked. In about fifteen minutes longer, George raked open 
the coals, and found the potatoes nicely baked, and told Ned to wipe 
them on an old towel they had brought along to use about their 
cooking. Then with a stick he poked out the partridges. The clay 
had become as hard as a rock, and had all cracked open ; and with a 
knife George freed the birds from their earthern covering, the clay 
taking off all the feathers and skin, as it fell away. When they were 

entirely cleaned, he put them on a 
plate, and put a little butter, salt, 
pepper, and flour, on each, and they 
sent forth a smell that actually caused 
the saliva to run out of the corners of 
the Parson's mouth. 

"George, you are a brick!" ex- 
claimed Ned. "Where did you learn 
that trick ? " 

" Learned it here, just now." 
" But where did you see it tried ? 
I never heard of such a thing." 

" Nowhere. I read of it, and thought I would try it. Now let's 
have our dinner. The hard-tack are in your knapsack, Dick ; get 
out some." 

The coffee, trout, potatoes, and hard-tack were now placed on the 
table. A can of condensed milk was produced, and opened, a 
piece of butter was put on a plate, and the boys gathered around 
the appetizing viands. 

George poured the coffee, and Dick helped them to the solids, 
and they were soon appeasing their hunger. 







^/^ 



DINNER BY THE ROADSIDE. 



312 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

"I didn't know George was a prize cook, did you, Ned?" said 
Dick, as he filled his mouth with partridge. 

" No. But if this dinner is a sample of what he can do, I think 
he had better apply to Young's for a position as CJief when he returns 
home. These partridges just lay over any I ever ate before in my 
life." 

" And these trout are cooked the nicest of any I have eaten since 
we left home," chimed in the Parson. 

" And this is an A No. i cup of coffee," added Dick, who was 
smacking his chops over his favorite beverage. 

" Come, come, fellows, a truce to compliments," commanded 
George, blushing. " I am not used to being soaped. I am willing 
to do the biest I can for you cooking, but don't make any more talk 
about it." 

" How modest," said Ned. " I told him once before, and now I 
repeat it, he has a big head." 

"Yes," put in the Parson, with a chuckle at the joke, "wears a 
number twenty-two hat." 

" Oh, confound you ! let up, or I won't cook the supper." 

" Silence ! for heaven's sake, then," said Dick with mock solemnity, 
" only think what a calamity that would be." 

The meal went on with more or less chaffing between the friends, 
and was only finished when every vestige of the partridges, fish, and 
potatoes had disappeared, while each one of the party had managed 
to surround three hard-bread in addition to the other things they 
had eaten. 

" Come, boys," called Dick, jumping up, " don't be swine because 
your fathers were." 

" You call any one a hog," said George dryly, as he arose, " after 
what you have eaten ! You are small, but oh my ! I'll leave it to 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 313 

Ned and the Parson, if you have not eaten more than any fellow 
in the crowd." 

" Yes ! Yes ! " asserted the two, as George appealed to them. 

" I don't think George ought to touch the dishes," remarked Ned, 
" after getting us up a dinner fit for a king. I'll wash them, if you'll 
wipe them, Dick." 

" I'm your man." 

A dish-cloth, towel, and a piece of soap were now produced from 
one of the knapsacks, and in fifteen minutes Ned and Dick had the 
dishes all ready to pack. The fire was put out with water brought 
from the river, and the table and bench were left just as they were, to 
use on their return. 

It was half-past two when everything was ready for a start, and 
shouldering their packs, and taking the other articles, they started on 
again. They travelled as quickly as the heat would permit until five 
o'clock, only stopping once, when Dick, who was in advance, flushed a 
flock of partridges, from which they shot three. 

" Here is a good place to camp, boys," remarked George, as he 
dropped the butt of his rifle to the ground. " There is plenty of fire- 
wood, and the river is handy for water and fish. As it is going to be a 
warm, pleasant night we don't need much of a camp. We must be 
halfway to the ponds, sure." 

" Let us stop here, then," said Dick, dropping his pack, for truth to 
tell, he was well tired out. 

" So say we all of us," added Ned, and down came his pack, the 
Parson following suit. 

" Now for our camp," observed George. " Ned, you can assist me, 
while Dick and the Parson get up some fire-wood." 

" I can get all the wood we shall want," returned Dick. " You will 
have to use one of the axes and then the Parson can try for a mess of 
trout. He did well this noon." 



314 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" All right," replied George. "Anything to facilitate matters; " and 
Dick seized one of the axes, and pluckily tackled a dry spruce, a wind- 
fall, while Fred took his rod, and started for the river. 

" Now, let me see," said George, " we have four rubber blankets 
and four woollen ones. We can use two of the rubber ones on top of 
our camp, and put the other two under us to sleep on. A few boughs 
stuck up at the sides will answer for shelter in that direction, it is going 
to be such a pleasant night. I want a couple of crotched maples or 
white birches first, Ned, about eight 
feet long, and " (looking around him) 
" here we have the very thing," point- 
ing to a clump of maples a short dis- 
tance away. 

Ned went for them, and soon had ,- 
the saplings down, cut to the right A 
length, and one end of each sharp- . 
ened. Telling Ned to cut a straight 
pole about seven feet long, George 
brought the other two, and selecting a 
level place near the road, after hard work managed to drive each of the 
forked sticks a foot into the ground. Ned now came up with the 
straight one, and this was placed on top the other two in the crotches. 
Then they cut seven more about eight feet long ; and these George 
placed one end on the ground, and the other end on top of the hori- 
zontal pole and the framework of the camp was finished. On these 
poles he spread two of the rubber blankets, covering them with 
boughs, and laid a couple of heavy spruce limbs to keep them in place. 
If there had been promise of any wind he would have tied them 
securely to the framework as they had plenty of twine. A few small 
firs and spruces were now cut and stood up at the ends, and some 




vW, 



BUILDING THE CAMP 






THROUGH THE WILDS. 



315 



fine spruce boughs, there being no cedar in the vicinity, were obtained 
and spread on the ground inside the camp. On these were placed 
two of the rubber blankets, and three of the woollen ones. The 
other being rolled up oblong, and placed at the back of the camp 
for a pillow, and their beds were ready. They then turned to, and 
made preparations for supper. While Ned built a fire, George peeled 
and sliced some potatoes, tried out some pork, and fried them, and as 

he was removing them, the Parson 

\^v ' k\- 5^ \Vr'"-^'i-^^^ I I ^^"^^ '^P ^^^ two dozen nice trout all 
¥^\K\^Ki''<::j^-^N^ _ vvll II L cleaned, which George also cooked. 

These, with potatoes, hard-bread, and 
(1 coffee, furnished their supper. 

George said they had better save 
the partridges shot that afternoon for 
breakfast, and then he would fricassee 
them. 

" Fricasseed partridges ! " exclaimed 
Dick. "Yum, Yum. Didn't I tell 
you we had a jewel of a cook ? " 

After the dishes were washed up and plenty of wood brought 
in, they sat around the fire and told stories and sang until about 
nine o'clock. 

" Shall we keep guard to-night, the same as we did the night we 
were in the woods over in the Notch ? " asked Dick of George. 

"The dickens, no. What is there here to hurt us? No, we will 
all turn in, and have a ofood niofht's rest." 

" I say, Dick," called Ned. "you might lay awake to-night, to see 
if you snore, if you wish to." 

"Goto grass!" laughed Dick: "you need not be making game 
of me." 




CAMP COMPLETE. 



.16 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" I am not going to grass, but I am going to my balsamic couch, 
and I advise the rest of you to follow ; " and George began to pre- 
pare for bed. 

" What shall we do with the fire, George ? " inquired Ned. 

" Let it burn. It will be all right ; and now," laughed George, 
" don't any of you fellows get frightened to death, if you happen to 
hear an owl in the night." 

Following George's example they turned in, and in a few moments 
were sound asleep, and it was seven o'clock the next morning before 
either of the lads awoke. 




'>^<^ 



THE FIRST NIGHT'S LODGING. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Z^l 



CHAPTER XII. 




A LITTLE DIFFICULTY. THE START NORTHWARD. BOATING ON MAGALLO- 

VVAY. CAMPING OUT. A VISIT FROM A MOOSE. 

RED aroused first, and in a few moments they were 
up and dressed. George, with the help of the others, 
had the breakfast ready at eight o'clock ; and when they 
had dried their blankets, which had gathered a little 
moisture during the night, they started on, and reached 
the ponds about four o'clock in the afternoon. 

They found a deserted log cabin at one end, and 
here they made their headquarters, cruising around 
more or less every day but two, when it rained, for ten 
days, and then returned to Magalloway, reaching the 
hotel Saturday night, after an absence of nearly two weeks. 

On their way back, they met some loggers trying to get up the 
river in two boats, but the water was so low they had to drag or pole 
them about all the way. A half mile below the boats, in the road, 
they ran across two rough-looking men, probably belonging to the 
same party, whom they judged to be a Canadian and an Irishman by 
their speech. On their approach the men hailed them, and inquired 
how far above the boats were. 

Dick told the man, and was passing along, when the largest one 
snatched his rifle, remarking that it was a nice-looking rifle and he 
guessed he would keep it himself. 

The other tried for the Parson's gun, but Fred was too quick for 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 319 

him, and ran for Ned and George, who were ahead, and had not 
noticed this Httle contretemps. 

" You give me that rifle," cried Dick savagely, who made a grab 
for it, only to be caught by the smaller man, the Canadian, and sent 
spinning across the side of the road, where he tripped over a rock 
and fell to the ground. 

Just as Dick went down, George and Ned turned, and found Fred 
running, nearly up with them, and saw Dick roll over. George 
grasped the situation by instinct, and, ridding himself of his knapsack, 
he brought his rifle to a line with the Irishman's head, and took 
deliberate aim. His face was as white as a sheet, and his eyes 
fairly blazed. 

The Irishman and his companion were laughing at Dick, who was 
now scramblinof to his feet, when Georore called to him, — 

" Drop that rifle, and make yourself scarce. I'll give you just 
two minutes to do it in." 

The Irishman looked at George, and then glancing down at the 
rifle he held, and seeing it was loaded, attempted to raise it. 

" If you raise that rifle," warned George, "you are a dead man, I 
never miss my aim. This rifle is cocked, my finger is on the trigger. 
If that rifle is not out of your hands by the time I count five, your 
interestinor friend will have a chance to bury you. One ! two ! 
three ! " — 

'' Sacre r' cried the Canadian. "He is ly^r resolute — he means 
what he says. Let's be off, Mike." 

" Four" — and the Jrishman stood the rifle against a tree. 

" Now be off with you," said George. 

" I was only fooling. Trying to frighten him a little," returned 
the Irishman, as the men went on. 

George came over to where Dick stood, and watched the men 



320 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



until they were out of sight. Then he helped Dick shoulder his knap- 
sack. 

" Did he hurt you any, Dick ? " George asked, as they started on. 

" Not a bit. I should not have fallen down, but I tripped over a 
rock." 

" It's lucky for them they did not," asserted George as he picked 
up his knapsack, and the party started for the house. 

They ferried over the river at Ben- 
nett's and then walked down the road 
to the hotel, and were glad enough 
when they reached it. 

Mr. Lowe was at home and was 
pleased to see them. 
The boys told him 
of their adventure 
with the two men, 
and the landlord in- 
formed them that 
the men had proba- 
bly been drinking, 
and said that he 
should have been glad if George had winged him. 

The next day being Sunday, the boys passed it quietly at the 
house, but immediately after breakfast Monday morning, they started 
in the wagon with Mr. Lowe, who was going to carry them up to 
Clark's. He told them he had hauled up two boats since they had 
been gone, and fixed them up nicely, and he would go over to the 
head of the falls with them, and see them started. After the land- 
lord had put up his horses at the farmhouse, the boys shouldered 
their packs, and Mr. Lowe led the way up the same road they had 




ACROSS THE CARRY. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 321 

taken when they ascended the mountain. But this time they did 
not branch off on the path, but followed the carry road, meeting two 
guides on the way, and after a walk of a little less than an hour, they 
reached the head of the falls, and found the boats above the dam, all 
right. Mr. Lowe helped to launch and load them, and telling the boys 
to leave the boats with John Dan forth if they did not come back that 
way, bade them good-by, and wished them good luck, 

"A mighty nice set of young fellows," murmured Mr. Lowe 
to himself, as he turned away from the river. " I hope they won't 
meet with any accident." 

George and Dick went in one boat, and Ned and the Parson in 
the other, and they were as nearly equally loaded as possible. 

" I will take the lead," said Georg-e, who was at the oars, while 
Dick paddled, "and you can follow me. It is going to be a hot day, 
and we will take it easy. We are not obliged to hurry and jump 
as if our lives depended on it. And we can keep the boats near 
enough together to converse without trouble." 

In the other boat Ned plied the oars, and the Parson the paddle. 

" Don't you think, George," suggested the Parson, " that it 
would be a good idea that Dick and I should have our guns by us in 
case we see any ducks ? " 

" Yes, it would. It is the fifth of September to-day, and ducks 
must be large enough to eat by this time, and we certainly ought to 
run across them on this river, or some of the adjacent ponds. But, 
by the way, you have both the shot guns in your boat. You know 
Dick and I both have rifles. You had better let Dick have Ned's 
gun. Load it with duck shot, and give him a half dozen extra 
shells ; " and George ceased rowing, and the two boats drifted together, 
and the gun and ammunition were passed over to Dick. 

The boats now went on, George leading, the boys keeping a 



^2 2 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

sharp lookout for game. The river was dark and apparently still, 
where they now were, and the banks were heavily wooded. They 
passed Beaver Brook without stopping, although Fred Flint, who kept 
the camp near the head of the falls, had told them they would find 
trout at its mouth. As they advanced into the heart of the wilder- 
ness, the river grew more crooked, and the scenery wilder, and more 
beautiful. Aziscohos Mountain played about them like a will o' the 
^isp^ — now on one side, and then on the other ; this moment 
directly in front of them, and the next behind their backs. The 
water was a translucent mirror ; and the green pines, firs, and spruces, 
the white birches, the gray trunks of the maples along the banks, the 
blue sky over head, and the old mountain as it occasionally came into 
line, all were reproduced in the stream with the utmost minuteness 
of detail. 

A few maple leaves, prematurely ripened, added their gorgeous- 
ness to the more sombre tints of green. A round-topped mountain 
on the left of the river, known as Parker Hill, played them as many 
tricks as Aziscohos. 

In turning a bend of the river about a mile below Parker Hill 
Pond Eddy, they came suddenly upon a flock of a dozen or more 
black ducks. Dick's gun was at his shoulder in a moment, and he 
gave them one barrel while they sat on the water, and the other as 
they rose. It had been a long shot, but, fearful of frightening them, 
he had taken the chances, and blazed away at sight. Three ducks 
rewarded his efforts. As the flock arose they wheeled and started 
down the river directly over the boys' heads, and that gave the Parson 
a chance, which he eagerly availed himself of. Letting them have 
both barrels, right and left, he knocked over five, which fell with 
a splash into the water. " Good boys ! " shouted George, " pick them 
up before they float off. Although this is apparently dead water, 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



there is a strong- current underneath ; " and he rowed over to where 
the ducks had been discovered, and Dicl< pulled them in, while Ned 
and the Parson floated around for those the latter had shot. 

" Eight black ducks," remarked Ned ; " a pretty good haul. I 
never found them so tame before." 

"It is after eleven," George observed, with a glance at his watch. 

" I think we had better 
stop when we get to 
Parker Hill Pond Eddy, 
and have dinner." 

" How far is that 
from where we started ?" 
inquired Ned. 

" About four miles." 
"We shall not get 
ver)- far to-day at that 
rate," suggested Dick. 



" What does it mat- 
ter whether we are a day 
or a week in going up 
the river ? W^e have 
plenty of time and ought 
to take it easy and enjoy 
ourselves." 




A LUCKY SHOT. — DUCKS. 



" But one naturally likes to get ahead." 

" You can walk, Dick," put in the Parson, " if you are in a hurry." 
" No, thank you, old Sober-sides, the water is too wet." 
" I think if we get to the Narrows to-night, we shall have ac- 
complished enough for one day," George said, as he pulled on up 
the river. 



2 24 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

"That is only ten miles from the falls," replied Dick. 

" True," acknowledged George, " And would you swallow the 
wilderness at one mouthful ? Gobble it as a boy would a lump of 
sugar ? For my part, I prefer to take it a little at a time, and extract 
the honey at my leisure. I am in no mood to drive at a Tarn 
O'Shanter gait through this charming country. Hurry, worry, and 
tumult are the curse of our nation. We are away from the world. 
Why should we bring any of the unpleasant habits of the world into 
this Paradise ? Let us be content to take what the day brings forth 
for us, and not grasp it by the throat and try to choke out a little 
more from its fruitful store." 

" The philosopher has spoken," said Dick, with a little irony in 
his tone. " Let all obey." 

" Isn't the philosophy sound?" 

" Yes, there was considerable sound to it," assented Dick. " If you 
had kept your mouth shut, though, there wouldn't have been so much." 

The boys laughed at this sally, and for a while conversation ceased. 
Occasionally a blue heron, frightened by the dip of their oars, while 
trying to gorge himself with frogs along the bank of the river, would 
utter a startled cry and Hy lazily away, only to return when silence 
acrain reigned. On them the boys wasted no ammunition, for they 
did not believe they were good to eat. I have heard of people 
eating them. I would as soon eat a turkey buzzard. They saw 
several bald and gray eagles, but the kings of the air were wary, 
and did not venture within gun-shot. 

It was not quite noon when they reached the eddy, and George 
thought they had better not attempt to cook the ducks until supper- 
time, it would take so long. Accordingly, while he and Ned made 
preparations for dinner, Dick and the Parson caught what trout they 
thought necessary for the consumption of four hungry voyagers. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



o-'5 



Fried trout, boiled potatoes, hard-tack, and coffee, made up the meal, 
and good appetites were not lacking. Dinner over, and the dishes 




A FANCY SKKTCII - DEER. 



washed, the boats were loaded, and then the boys lay around for 
half an hour, and talked over their plans for the future. The Parson 



;26 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



took but little part in the conversation, but seated on a sunny rock, 
with his back against a fallen tree, and his beloved sketch-book in his 
hand, he amused himself with making a fancy sketch. 

At two o'clock the boys stepped into their boats, and pulled on 
up the river. A mile from where they had eaten dinner, they passed 
Bog Brook, flowing into the river from the left ; and a mile beyond 













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THE NARROWS, LOOKING DOWN RIVER. 

this, another stream, known as Otter Brook, which emptied in from 
the right. No otters were seen in its vicinity, but they caught a 
glimpse of three muskrats. From time to time a snag, or a tree that 
had fallen across the river, gave them more or less trouble, but this 
was all the excitement the afternoon produced until they reached 
the Narrows. 

Here the bed of the river narrowed to a third of its usual width, 
and poured down between two high ledges, a smooth but very power- 
ful current. Although there were good camping-grounds both above 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



327 



and below the Narrows, George thought they had better land above. 
Accordingly they had quite a lively time in getting up through ; but 
after hard work, and two or three unsuccessful attempts, they ac- 
complished it, and at four o'clock ran their boats up on the right bank 
of the river, a short distance beyond the head of the Narrows. Some 
gentlemen from Boston were camped here, whom Lowe had told 
them of, and had spoken highly of them to the boys. George found 
three of the gentlemen near the tents, and introduced himself and 
his friends to them, and told Mr. Vanderpool, the leader of the party, 
that himself and friends would camp near them if the gentlemen had 
no objections. 

" Delighted to have you for neighbors," replied Mr. Vanderpool, 
" what time we stay, but we go up river to-morrow." 

" So do we," said George, as the boys went back to their boats. 

" You'll give us some biscuit for supper to-night, won't you, old 
chap ? " queried the Parson, as he began to joint his rod. 

" Nary a biscuit," replied George, with a twinkle in his eyes that be- 
lied his words : " they'll make you dyspeptic, and get your stomach out 
of order." 

" Oh, confound your dyspepsia ! I'm tired of chewing hard-tack." 

" Soak it in coffee," suggested the cJicf\\\\}ii a smile. 

" Now, look here, George," desperately, " if you don't give us some 
biscuit, I won't catch any more fish." 

" Ha ! rebellion ! " cried George with mock consternation. " Know, 
then, my would-be dyspeptic, that if you don't catch the fish, I shall 
resign my office." 

" Don't say that." laughed the Parson. " I will catch the fish, or at 
least I will try. I should starve if I had to do my own cooking. Or if 
I ate it. I should have dyspepsia sure." 

" Run along, now," replied George patronizingly. " Be a good 



328 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



little man, and catch a lot of trout, and I will see what I can do for you 
later ; " and he turned to his cooking, while the Parson went down to 
the foot of the quick water to cast a fly. 

After boilinor the ducks an hour, George took the kettle off, and 
emptied out the water, made some stuffing from crackers and sewed the 
birds up neatly, then placed them in a pan with a little water, and set 




CAMP AT THE NARROWS, MAGALLOWAY RIVER. 

the pan on a tin baker, which he placed near the fire. The pan was 
turned from time to time, to present both sides to the heat ; and when 
the ducks were thoroughly roasted, he made some gravy in the same 
pan. He cooked four of the ducks, reserving the others for breakfast. 
Ned and Dick now came in with two quarts of raspberries, and George 
told them to look after the fire, and keep the ducks hot. 

Just then the Parson was heard in the distance, and George told 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



329 



Ned to cut some slices of pork and place in the frying-pan, and put it 
on the fire. Shortly after Fred came in with his fish all cleaned, and 
they were rolled in meal and placed in the frying-pan. He had caught 
seven trout, weighing about half a pound apiece. 

" Didn't have very good luck 
fishing," said Ned. 

" The fish bit well enough, but 
the minges bit a great deal bet- 
ter. Great Scott ! weren't they 
thick down there ! I did not have 
any fly preparation with me, and 
I became tired of trying to do two 
things at once. It took about all 
my time to fight minges, and I did 
not have much lett to fish in." 
" I have not seen any here," 
FISHING ON MAGALLowAY RIVER. remarked Dick. 

" No, there is a little breeze on this knoll ; down at the river it was 
perfectly still. Besides, your smoke keeps them off here." 

" Now, Ned, lookout for those fish, and don't let them burn, and I 
will make some biscuit." And George took a basin, and sifted into it 
a quart of flour, and two heaping teaspoonfuls of Royal Baking Powder. 
Then \m rubbed into the flour a piece of butter the size of an ^g^, 
and mixed it up with water. 

" I wish I had milk to mix this flour with, the biscuit would be so 

much better." 

" I'll risk them, George," replied the Parson. " If we run across 
any cows lying around loose here in the woods, we'll milk them." 

"Will we?" questioned George. "Did you ever milk a cow, 
Fred ? " 




THROUGH THE WILDS. 331 

" No." 

" I would give five dollars to see you make your first attempt ; " and 
George laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks, and the fever prov- 
ing catching, his companions laughed in chorus. 

The boys had brought a small sieve and cake board, but no rolling- 
pin, and in lieu of the latter, George used an empty bottle to roll out 
his dough with, and the cover of a small round tin box served as a 
cake cutter. In a few moments the biscuits were in the baker before 
the fire ; and while George watched them, his friends set the table, 
which, with the seat, had been constructed like those described in the 
former chapter. 

The biscuits were soon done, as brown as berries on top. and proved 
to be as light as cork. The roast ducks, fried trout, and mashed 
potato, flanked on either side by the biscuits and the ripe, red rasp- 
berries, were placed on the table ; and the boys, with their appetites 
strengthened by the afternoon's work, ate as only healthy men and boys 
can eat, when in the woods. Some of the remarks made at their table 
would be very amusing had we space in which to give them ; but suf- 
fice it to say, that amid the endless round of repartee that enlivened 
their meal, some very good jokes bubbled to the surface, and wit and 
humor were the order of the moment. 

The night passed peaceably and without alarm ; and after breakfast 
Tuesday morning, George proposed that they should take a cruise off to 
the eastward of the camp, explore the country a little, and see if they 
could run across a deer. Ned and Dick signified their willingness to 
go, but the Parson thought he would rather stick to the camp and make 
some sketches along the river, there being one a short distance above 
the Narrows that he wished particularly to get. George did not object to 
this ; and taking a luncheon, — for they did not intend to return until four 
or five o'clock, — a drinking-cup, a pocket compass, and some matches, 
they started into the woods. 



332 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" Pick some raspberries for supper, will you, Fred?" shouted Dick. 

" I will if I ao-ree to," laug-hed the Parson. 

After his friends had orone, the Parson took the blankets and 
spread them out in the sun to air and dry, and then taking his pencils 
and sketch-book, went up the river to obtain his coveted sketch. Secur- 
ing a shady place on the bank, he went diligently to work. After an 




A HUNTING PARTY UN IHK MAGALLOWAY. 



hour's steady labor, he had the picture finished, but it did not suit him. 
It lacked life. " I know what I will do," said he to himself, " I will put 
in a boat at the foot of that little fall with a couple of fishermen in it. 
That will give some character to the thing." This he proceeded to do, 
and the result was satisfactory. Then he went back to the camp and 
looked after the blankets ; and it being then about eleven o'clock, he 
fished an "Androscoggin Lakes Illustrated" from his knapsack, and 
read until dinner-time. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 333 

" I shall have to take a cold lunch, the same as the rest of the fel- 
lows," he remarked, as he threw down his book. " Hang it, I wish I 
could cook equal to George ! I wonder where he learned. It must 
come natural to him. What a sardine he is ! He can do most every- 
thing. Well, here goes ; " and starting to his feet, he rummaged around 
a while, and found some cold duck, biscuit, and potatoes. He began 
by nibbling discontentedly, but ended by making a hearty meal. Thus 
was the eternal fitness of things reversed, and for a time matter 
triumphed over mind. When he had appeased his appetite he went 
out to the berry patch, and for half an hour amused himself with 
plucking the delicious fruit, and filling all the little nooks and cavities, 
where the more solid food had left space vacant. But at last with a 
sigh he was forced to cry " Peccavi ! " and returned to camp. 

" I don't think I should like to be a Robinson Crusoe," he said, as 
a dim sense of loneliness dawned upon him. " I'll stroll down the river 
bank and make a sketch of the Narrows. I would go down in the boat 
if it were not such a beastly pull getting back. I don't believe I could 
get up alone anyway ; so I guess I will walk." 

Taking his book he went below the Narrows ; but after trying two 
or three sketches, none of which w^as satisfactory, he returned to camp. 
He folded up the blankets now and brought them in. "I think I 
must have eaten too much dinner," he said. " I am awful sleepy, 
and it's confounded hot. I'm blest if I don't have a snooze;" and 
half opening one of the blankets, he lay down at the front of the 
camp, with one hand resting on his gun. 

He was soon fast asleep, and snoring with a freedom born of an in- 
nate knowledge that there was no one about to disturb ; he had slept 
about an hour, when he awoke with a start, feeling something cold and 
soft on his face. As he opened his eyes, his blood seemed to chill in 
his veins, and his heart almost ceased to beat. Each hair of his head 



334 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



he fancied he could feel stick out " like quills upon the fretful porcu- 
pine." He trembled like a leaf, but at last his fears found vent, and 
with a yell that would have frightened a Comanche Indian, as used as 
they are to howling, he bounded to his feet, bringing his gun with him. 

This was the cause of his excitement. A solitary moose had strayed 
up to the camp, and attracted by curiosity had approached the Parson 
to see what manner of 
creature he was. The 
touch of his cold nose 
had awaked Fred, with the 
result as given above. 

As the alarmed boy 
howled and sprang to his 
feet, he frightened the 
moose, if anything, worse 
than the animal had 
frightened him, and the 
old bull backed three or 

four paces away snorting with terror. This gave the Parson a chance, 
and making for the woods a few rods distant, he went for a tree, 
up which he climbed, with the moose, who had recovered from his 
fright, close behind him. Dropping his gun while shinning the tree, 
he was at the mercy of the moose. The animal, however, was very 
well behaved, and after smelling of the gun and casting a glance or 
two of inquiry at Fred, browsed around the tree awhile, and then, 
hearing some noise that frightened him, he started off at a shambling 
gait, waded the river, which was shallow a short distance above the 
camp, and disappeared in the woods on the other side. 

As the animal became lost to view the Parson slowly descended the 
tree, and picking up his gun found it uninjured. 




A QUEER VISITOR. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 335 

"Well, by jingo! " he exclaimed as he walked to camp, " if this 
does not knock spots out of anything- we have seen yet. A real, live 
moose. And if I had not been so fri^^htened that I did not know 
whether I was on my head or heels, I might have had a shot at him. I 
wish the boys had been here, he would not have escaped so easily. 
But deliver me from having any more such visitors when I am 
alone. I guess I will go out and pick those berries now, that Dick 
wanted, and I will take my gun along too. If the moose in this 
country have no better manners than to walk into a fellow's camp, 
and kiss him while he is sleeping, one might as well be prepared for 
them ; " and the Parson changed the shells in his gun, which were loaded 
with bird shot, for two loaded with buck shot, and put a couple of 
extra ones in his pocket. Then taking a basin he started for the 
berries. 

After picking about three quarts, he carried them to camp, and 
takinof his rod and Qfun went down the river fishinof. At five o'clock he 
returned with thirteen trout, and, much to his relief, found his friends 
awaiting him. 

" How goes it. Parson ? " inquired George. 

" If you had been here, you would have found out." 

" So I suppose. What have you been doing ? " 

" Various things. Did you see any game ? " 

" Bagged three partridges, and that is all the game we have seen 
the whole blessed day." 

" And we have walked about fourteen hundred miles," added Dick. 

" But we saw lots of deer tracks," chimed in Ned. 

" Deer tracks ? That for your deer tracks ! " and the Parson snap- 
ped his fingers contemptuously. " Look here," grabbing George by 
the arm and leading him along, " what do you call that, and that, and 
this ? " pointing to the tracks left by the moose. 



336 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" You don't mean," — began George excitedly. 

" Yes, I do, too. There has been a moose, larger than the side of a 
house, right here in this camp this afternoon." And the Parson gazed 
around him in triumph. 

" You don't mean it ? " cried Dick incredulously. 

" You can't put that sell on us," asserted Ned, " it's too thin." 

" There is no sell about it. I tell you it is the truth. I can swear 
to it on a stack of Bibles as high as Bunker Hill Monument." 

" Give us the 
facts," said George, 
who saw by his com- 
panion's face that he 
was in earnest, and 
telling the truth. 
And without any 
more circumlocution, 
the Parson told his 
story. Then the 
boys walked over to 
the tree, where Fred 

had gone to roost. From here they followed the tracks to the bank 
of the river and saw where Jumbo had entered the water. 

" We must get on that fellow's track to-morrow," remarked George 
enthusiastically. " We have two rifles, and with those and our two 
double barrels loaded with buck shot it will be strange if we can't give 
Mr. Moose his quietus. But now let's have supper, for I feel hungry 
after that tramp." 

" So do I, and I, and I," echoed the others. 

The boys were so excited that it took them longer than usual to pre- 
pare their meal, and all supper-time the moose furnished the only sub- 




CAMP AT MOUTH OF LINCOLN BROOK ON MAGALLOWAY RIVER. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



r:>l 



ject of conversation. When the dishes had been washed and cleared 
away, fresh fuel was thrown on the fire, and until ten o'clock they sat 
excitedly discussing the probabilities of their finding the moose on the 
morrow. Finally George told them they would be good for nothing the 
next day if they did not get some sleep that night. And reluctantly 
they followed his example and turned in. 




338 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



AN UNSUCCESSFUL MOOSE-HUNT. A MOVE UP RIVER. RAINY DAYS. 

A NIGHT ALARM. DIFFICULT NAVIGATION. THE FORKS. " WHICH 

ROAD SHALL WE TAKE?" PARMACHENEE. 

ALF-PAST seven Thursday morning found 
them ready for the start, and taking one of 
the boats they paddled across the river. They 
found where the huge animal had left the 
water, and beoran trackino- him. It would have 
been slow work for those accustomed to it, 
but for novices like our young friends it was 
both slow and perplexing, and they frequently 
lost the trail, and spent half an hour in finding 
it. But they stuck to it with the pertinacity 
of blood-hounds, and about noon found where 
the moose had lain down. This encouraged 
them somewhat, thinking he might be in their immediate neighbor- 
hood, and after silently eating their lunch they resumed the trail. 
But as the moose had done a good deal of straggling about in the 
vicinity, another valuable hour was lost here. 

At three o'clock they were following the trail, but had seen or 
heard nothing of the moose, and George announced his intention of 
returning to camp. 

" I hate to give the old fellow up — am sorry as any of you," he 
remarked, as he noticed the disappointed look in his companions'' 




THROUGH THE WILDS. 



339 



faces, " but here we are five or six miles from camp, and the afternoon 
half gone, and I think it safer and better for all of us to turn back. 

, If an hour's more tra- 

vel would bring us 
up with the moose, I 
should say go on, but 
we may follow his trail 
a week and then not 
find him." 

His companions 
acknowledged that 
George's advice was 
good, and as he was 
their chosen leader, 
they made the best 
of their discomfiture, 
and turned back with 
him. And it was not 
long before they all 
felt glad they had 
taken his advice. For 
they found that they 
could not travel a 
great deal faster re- 
turning than they had 
in going, and it was 
nearly dark when they 
reached camp. They 
managed the best way they could to cook their supper in the semi- 
darkness, and ate by the light of their lantern and fire. 




TRAILING A MOOSE. 



340 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Friday morning after breakfast they broke camp, and proceeded 
up river. During the forenoon, they passed two or three shallow 
places where the boats dragged, and they had to get out and wade 
to lighten them. When they reached the Lower Metallak Pond they 
stopped about an hour, and paid it a visit. They found a lot of black 
duck in it, and secured five. Deer-tracks were numerous in the 
vicinity, many of which were fresh, but they saw no deer. As Dick 




LOWER METALLAK POND, FROM MAGALLOWAY RIVER. 

facetiously put it, " the deer had made tracks," and the boys realized 
the full significance of the saying. 

Below the foot of the Meadows they spent a couple of hours in 
dining and resting, at a hunter's camp by the side of the river, and 
about half-past three reached the Upper Metallak Pond, where they 
concluded to pass the night. 

Shortly after taking to their boats in the afternoon, it began to 
cloud up, and looked more and more like rain as the day waned. 
This determined George to camp early, and he paid more attention 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



341 



to the camp than any they had yet built, doing his best to make it 
tight. He also made it larger than usual, to give room for all their 
provisions, or other articles that would be liable to be injured by the 
rain. When this was done they had supper, and after the meal was 
over, and the things cleared up, Ned proposed that they should take 
a look around the pond and see if they could spot any deer. 

All were in favor of this, and with their rifles and guns loaded 
with duck-shot, they started forth on a mission that proved very 
unfruitful. For although they stayed several hours, and thought 

they heard deer, 
they did not see 
any, and none of 
them fired a shot. 
They reached camp 
about midnight, and 
tired and sleepy, re- 
tired to rest. When 
they awoke in the 
morning, it was 
raining, — a cold, 
cheerless drizzle. 
They had a few 

trout left over from the catch of the night before, and these George 
cooked for breakfast. As a good fire seemed a great deal like a friend 
on such a day, they built a large one near the camp, and kept it 
snapping all the time. This made the inside of their camp dry and 
comfortable. 

"Who has nerve enough to go over to the pond with me and see 
if we can get some ducks ? " queried Ned, about ten o'clock, as the 
boys lay on their blankets comfortably in camp. 




LOWER METALLAK POND, LOOKING TOWARDS THE RIVER. 



342 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" I have," answered Dick. " I am tired of doing nothing, and had 
rather get wet than stay cooped up here." 

" You mean you had rather get a duck-in," grimly remarked the 
Parson. 

" You deserve hanging for that," repHed George, as he laughed 
in concert with the others. 

The two hunters 
donned their rubber 
coats and boots, and 
sallied forth, while 
George amused 
himself with a book 
and the Parson in 
sketching anything 
and everything in 
sight of him. It 
was not quite twelve 
o'clock when the 
Parson said that 
he heard footsteps. 
George laid aside 
his book and list- 
ened, and soon 
heard voices, and 
Dick and Ned presently appeared, the water pouring from them. 

" Come in out of the wet, it appears to be raining outside," was 
George's greeting as the boys stepped up to the camp, 

" Don't care if I do," said Dick, as they pulled off their rubber 
coats displaying nine fat ducks. 

The Parson's eyes opened. "You had good luck after all ; we 




HUNTER'S CAMP, MAGALLOWAY RIVER. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



543 



did not hear you fire a shot, and supposed you would come back 
empty-handed." 

" We are not the boys to return empty-handed," asserted Ned. 
"Four of those are wood-duck — the best eating duck there are 
according to what I have read," observed George. 

" You can cook those for me, George," suggested the Parson. 

" Don't be so fresh ; put a Ht- 

tle wood on the fire," and George 

turned his attention to the ducks. 

"The other five are black, I 

suppose ? " interrogated Dick. 

" Yes. There will be enough 
for dinner, and breakfast to-mor- 
row morning, and the Parson can 
catch trout for supper," and George 
threw a humorous glance at that 
individual who was replenishing 
the fire. 

" Fish won't bite in the rain," 
asserted Fred. 

" Try them and see. Perhaps 
it will hold up a little during the 
afternoon." 

The boys now assisted George 
about eettinor the dinner, and five 
black ducks were roasted, the others being retained for breakfast. 
Boiled potatoes, coffee, and hard-tack completed the bill of fare. 
They had to take their plates on their laps in the camp, as it rained 
so hard there was no eating out of doors. During the afternoon it 
slacked up about an hour. George and the Parson took advantage of 




THE LUCKY HUNTERb. 



344 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



it to catch some trout for supper, getting fifteen between them. The 
rain returned with renewed vigor while they were fishing, and they 
hurried to camp without waiting to clean their fish. Here the Parson 
put on his rubber coat, and then took the trout to the river and 
dressed them. After he came back, the boys told stories and sang 
until supper-time. This meal was provided under some difficulties ; 
for as the night drew on, it rained a great deal harder than it had 
earlier in the day. But 
perseverance will over- 
come any difficulty, and 
the boys finally tri- 
umphed in the fact that 
they had cooked their 
supper and eaten it. 

The morning of Sun- 
day greeted them with 
no chanofe in the wea- 
ther, and they stuck as 
close to camp as their 
duties would allow. 
They retired early, the 
rain still falling, and 
along in the night they 
were awakened by a tre- 
mendous crash, fairly shaking the ground under them. They 
started up in turn, and looked from one to the other, with wonder 
and fear depicted on their faces. They found to their surprise that 
the character of the storm had changed. The air was filled with a 
blaze of light, as flash after flash of lightning illumined the dark 
forests, and their ears were almost deafened by the continued peals of 
thunder that sounded like salvos of artillery. 




A WET TIME. 



IHROUGH THE WILDS. 345 

" This is a fearful storm, fellows, but we are in the hands of God. I 
think the noise that awakened us was some large tree knocked over by 
the lightning, and we have reason to be thankful that it did not fall on 
our camp," and George lay back on his blanket again, but with 
every nerve wide awake. 

The roar of the thunder continued, and the boys instinctively hugged 
up to each other. Sometimes it seemed directly over their heads, and 
then would roll away in the distance. The lightning not only flashed 
with a brilliancy unusual, but it often assumed the form of chain light- 
ing, and darted through the air like fiery serpents. The darkness after 
the lightning's glare was something horrible. The boys fancied they 
could almost feel it ; and through all this din and uproar the rain 
poured in torrents, seeming at times to literally come down in sheets. 

" Isn't this a frightful night, George," ventured Dick, after they had 
been quiet for some time. 

" Yes it is. I wish it were morning." 

For two hours, as near as George could judge, they were kept 
awake by the terrors of the storm. But after that time the tempest 
gradually slackened, and finally died away. Then the boys fell into an 
uneasy slumber, from which they awoke about six o'clock, and to 
their joy they found it had stopped raining. 

They turned out, and after dressing looked about the camp. A 
large pine that had stood a little above the camp had been shivered 
by a bolt of lightning, thrown to the ground, and lay close behind their 
camp, parallel with their heads. Had it fallen two feet nearer they 
must every one have been instantly killed. They all saw their narrow 
escape, and realized it the more, from the fact that by all mathematical 
rules the tree should have fallen upon them, and it was with some un- 
known but strong impulse, and white faces, that they shook each other 
by the hand. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



347 



" Boys," said George, " you are all friends of mine and good fellows, 
and I feel as if we all have been very near death. And although I 
never before uttered a prayer in public, I am going to do it now," and 
the blood mounted to his face, for he felt a good deal embarrassed. 

The boys uncovered their heads, and George sent up to the throne 
of mercy a heart-felt petition, thanking God who had saved them from 







LUMBER CAMP NKAK UPPER METALLAK POND. 



such a frightful death away from 
all their friends. As he thought 
of his father and mother, his voice 
trembled, and the tears came into 
his eyes, for he was as tender- 
hearted as a child, although by no 
means a coward. After George had finished his prayer breakfast was 
prepared and eaten ; but it was a quiet meal, and it was with a feeling 
of relief that the boys placed their camp kit in their boats, and made 
ready to leave a spot that had come so near proving a grave to them. 

Before starting away, however, they visited a logging-camp near 
them, and found the whole crew, who had come up the river a few days 
before, at home, and had a very pleasant call. George obtained some 






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\v Uii 






"wit* 

lift©' ^ 

lift "it «'..*.,■■ 






\':.,l.l,;,ill'^ 



teW^r r - /I iM 



:iliu 






i!|i!|iy"i| 




THROUGH THE WILDS. 



349 



valuable information from the boss about the country up river, and the 
Parson made some sketches that pleased both himself and the men. 
He was an 'adept at drawing faces, and put every man in the crew in 
his picture. After half an hour's chat they returned to their dismantled 
camp ready to proceed. 

It was ten o'clock when they pushed off from the land- 
ing ; the mists were rising 
from the river and for- 
ests, ascending in fantastic 
shapes that were whirled 
and blown about by the 
wind. Half an hour later 
the sun broke throuorh the 
vapor that had enveloped 
them, and they caught 
sight of the first blue sky 
they had seen for nearly 
three days. 

" Welcome, old Sol," 
cried Dick, as a sunbeam 
struck fairly upon him, 
enshrouding him in a halo 
"VERY THIN WATER." of eoldcn lieht. " I uever 

was so glad to see the sun before in my life." 

" It would be a gloomy world without it," remarked George, " but I 
think we shall have colder weather after this storm. We may not notice 
it in the middle of the day but we shall nights and mornings." 

As the>- made progress up the river they found the water " very 
thin " as Dick put it, in places, and were obliged to wade in the stream 
and haul their boats by the painters. It frequently took all of them to 




350 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



get one boat over a bad place, and then return for the other, so that 
at noon they had only reached the head of the Meadows, and here they 
stopped for dinner. 

About two o'clock they started again, and at four had reached the 
foot of the " big rips." They found the water very low at this point, 
and were obliged to partially unload their boats, and carry some of 
their stuff around the rapids, before they were able to get the boats into 
dead water. But they worked like beavers, and at half-past five had 




CAMP LANDING, LITTLE MAGALLOWAY. 



reached the Forks, where the Little Magalloway enters the main stream 
from the left. They landed at the carry road, hauled up their boats and 
held a " pow-wow " as the Parson termed it. 

" Now," began George, " according to ' Farrar's Guide Book,' we 
are half a mile from Spoff Flint's camp, about four miles from the lake 
by the carry road, and about five by the river. If we get to the lake by 
the river we shall have to pole and drag, and perhaps tug the boats 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



351 



about all the way. If we go by the carry road, it will be a solid lug of 
everything we have, boats, provisions, and all, unless we can get our 
things hauled over. They used to keep a horse on this carry ; suppose 
we go up to Flint's Camp, and see if the animal is here now, and then 
we can decide which road we shall take." 




CAMP ON THE LITTLE MAGALLOWAY. 



** Go ahead," said Dick, " and we will follow. It must be an awful 
job getting a horse up here where there are no roads." 

"They lead him through the woods, probably," remarked Ned, 
" but I should not want the job." 

" Nor I either," returned George. 

As they were about starting, Ned happened to look up the Little 
Magalloway, and a few rods beyond saw some of the party, whom they 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 353 

had camped beside down river, in a boat and canoe at what appeared to 
be a landing, and immediately hailed them. 

" That must be some of the Boston party," declared George. 

" Of course," returned Ned, " and they are coming down here." 

In fact, while he was speaking the sportsmen had begun paddling 
toward them, and in a few seconds the bows of their light craft ran on 
the bank where the boys were standing. 

" How are you, boys," said the eldest, " have you just come up ?" 

" Yes sir," replied George. 

"Well, we have had quite a rain," remarked Mr. Vanderpool, " but 
I guess we will have good weather now." 

" I hope so, sir," said George. " That was an awful storm." 

" Yes it was. Do you camp here, or are you going to the lake ? " 

" We are going to the lake, sir." 

" We have a nice camp up here. Come over and see it : we will 
take you right along and bring you back here." 

" Is there room for all of us in your boats ? " asked the Parson. 

" Plenty. Jump in." 

The boys, nothing loath, accepted the invitation, and paid a visit to 
their friends' camp, where they passed a pleasant half-hour. Then the 
gentlemen had their guides ferry the boys back to where their boats 
were. 

" Now," said George, "we have had a pleasant call, but have lost 
over half an hour in making it, and we must move quickly." 

Leaving everything in their boats they walked up to the camp, which 
stood on the left side of the road hard by the borders of Sunday Pond, 
a trout preserve for the house. Three men were down to the pond 
fishing, and a gentleman stood in the doorway. He welcomed them 
cordially, asked them where they came from, who they were, and so 
forth. Introduced himself as Mr. Daniels of New York, and told them 
the proprietor had gone up the lake, but would return soon. 




A REST ON PARMACHENEE CARRY. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 355 

" Do you know whether there is a horse here now ? " asked George. 

" Yes, I do. There is no horse here this year, and the guides sack 
everything across the carry on their backs." 

" Then it will be easier for us," said George, turning to his compan- 
ions, " to stick to the river. It's a pretty good tug to carry three boats 
over this road, and we should have to make two trips, as we could not 
carry but one at a time." 

" That's so," added Dick, " and two more trips to get our luggage 
over." 

" Have you any guides with you ? " queried the gentleman. 

" No, sir," answered George, " we paddle our own canoe." 

" So do we," returned Mr. Daniels. " I expected to find Spoff 
Flint up here, who has been with us two or three times, but he is off 
with another party, and we concluded to go it alone. Those gentlemen 
down to the pond are my friends, and we are stopping here for the 
present. We are going over to the lake next week." 

"Do you think," asked George, " that they could accommodate us 
here to-night? " 

" Yes, and a dozen more. We are the only party stopping here at 
present." 

" What do you say, boys, to taking supper, lodging, and breakfast 
here. It will be a change, and you must be sick of my cooking by this 
time." 

"No, sir, we are not: you know better. George!" exclaimed his 
three friends vehemently. 

" Good cook, is he, boys?" and Mr. Daniels laughed at their earn- 
estness. 

" He's the boss," said Ned. 

" All the other cooks are out when he is at home," added Dick. 

" Quit your fooling, now, fellows, and speak soberly. What do 
you think of stopping here to night ? " 



356 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" I'm in favor of it, for one," returned the Parson. " Besides, it is 
getting a little late for us to build a camp to-night." 

" So am I," added Dick. 

" I row in the same boat," chimed in Ned. 

" Come on, then," and George started for the boats. " We will 
bring up our rods and guns, and cover the rest of the stuft up so the 
dew will not wet it." 

Returning to the river, they unloaded the boats, and made two com- 
pact piles of their things, covering them with rubber blankets, and then 
turned one of the boats bottom up over each pile. They laid the oars 
and paddles snug to the boats, and then went back to the camp. 

On their way back they came suddenly upon a sportsman and his 
guide, who had stopped for a rest while crossing the camp. They rec- 
ognized him as belonging to the Boston party camping on the Little 
Magalloway, and chatted a few moments with him. He had evidently 
been to one of the back ponds for deer, but did not say whether he 
shot one. 

He invited the boys to pay his camp a visit, and George told him 
they had already been there, and then the parties separated, and the 
boys continued on to Sunday Pond. 

The man who had charge had come in ; and he gave them a warm 
welcome, and told them he had plenty of room for them. He informed 
them that supper would be ready in about fifteen minutes, and the 
boys left their guns and rods in the house and went down to the pond 
where the gentlemen were fishing. Mr. Daniels was there and intro- 
duced them to his friends, and the boys had quite a pleasant chat with 
them. The gentlemen had already taken quite a number of trout, and 
declared that the pond was full of them. George noticed one that 
would weigh two pounds lying on the bank, and called the attention of 
his friends to it. While they were examining the fish a horn was blown 
as a signal for supper, and all went up to the camp. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



357 



After supper, the evening being cool, a fire was lit in the open 
Franklin, and gathered around its cheerful blaze, the two parties of 
sportsmen met as old friends, and passed a very pleasant evening, 
songs, stories, and reminiscences of forest life being the order of the 
night. During the evening one of the gentlemen read the following 
story about a deer hunt, from a periodical he had brought with him. 
" Bill and I were camping one fall on the upper Richardson Lake. 

It was rather late in the season, and the 
deer that a few weeks previously had been 
in the habit of coming to the edges of the 
streams and lakes to nip the lily-pads and 
wade about in the shallow water were sel- 
dom seen. Occasionally an old buck would 
come out at evening and take a stroll 
along the sandy margin of the lake, add- 
ing for the moment a touch of wilder 
beauty to the dark forest background, and 
after standing proudly at some rocky point 
and surveying the scene would disappear 
again into the woods. 

" A small bay half way up the lake 
seemed to be a favorite place for the deer, as 
innumerable tracks were always to be seen 
in the sand along the shore, and one after- 
noon when we were almost out of venison in camp I suggested to Bill 
that it would be the proper thing for us to make a trip in the evening 
to this place. 

" The wood for the camp-fire was cut and piled at a convenient dis- 
tance from the mouldering back-log all ready for a glorious blaze on 
our return ; and just before sundown I took my place in the bow of our 




A CALL TO SUPPER. 



358 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

little boat with the Ballard across my knees, while Bill took the stern 
with the paddle. 

" Long shadows were reaching out from the big pines and hemlocks 
on the west shore, the valleys were already in darkness, and the long 
red rays of the fast setting sun streaming through the tree-tops illu- 
mined the rest of the forest with a hazy evening light. Great tree- 
trunks lay half sunken in the dark clear water, their arms reaching 
grimly out, and quiet reigned over all, the paddle in Bill's skilled hand 
making not the slightest sound. 

" As we silently glided along, a loon far up the lake caught sight 
of us, and his wild querulous call ringing through the forest was ans- 
wered by echo and sent wavering from cliff to cliff. Again and again 
the weird cry echoed and re-echoed from the mountain sides and was 
sent from shore to shore, and an eagle soaring high overhead answered 
with its screams. The reverberations ceased, and the stillness was 
broken only by the song of a white-throated sparrow within the short 
range of his little voice. A mink came swimming alongside of us, his 
bright mischievous eyes trying to make out what we were. Suddenly 
an otter's head appeared above the water, and soon another, and an- 
other, and In the most amusing way they bobbed up and down and spit 
at us in their spiteful way. For two or three minutes the otters swam 
along ahead of us, diving and appearing again, and finally they disap- 
peared all at once, probably going to pursue their calling of catching 
the big trout which abounded in the lake. 

" Gradually we neared the little bay, and as we rounded the rocky 
point Bill stopped paddling. The boat glided slowly along with its own 
motion as we carefully scanned every fallen hemlock for a sight of red 
hair, and in a moment I heard a low whisper, ' See that buck on the 
right ! ' at the same instant catching sight of a pair of horns behind a 
stump that stood quite a way out in the water, and not more than ten 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 359 

rods from us. The old fellow had evidendy been watching us just a 
little longer than we had been watching him, and had taken good pains 
to keep his eyes over the stump and mighty little of the rest of his 
body in sight. I felt the tremor of the boat again as Bill cautiously 
plied the paddle, and we tried to move to a position where I could see 
enough to shoot at, but the buck knew what we were up to and kept 
backing around until he could go no farther, when with five or six long 
bounds, with flag raised, he made for a windfall and stopped behind it 
for a minute, snorting and stamping, before taking his final leap into 
the underbrush. He stood tail toward me, with his head turned and 
looking over his shoulder, supposing that he was well protected by the 
branches, but there was where he made a miscalculation, for at least a 
square foot of the seat of his pants was in sight. Quickly I levelled the 
rifle, and as the echoes rang through the forest the buck made one 
grand leap and stumbled as he struck the ground, rolling clear over 
with feet kicking wildly in the air. In an instant he was up again and 
had disappeared. A few quick strokes with the paddle toward shore 
and Bill jumped out and started in the direction that the deer had 
taken, stopping long enough to motion to me that he found blood. 

" For several minutes I waited in suspense. It was fast growing 
darker, and the minutes were getting twice as long as in a stopped 
watch, when I heard Bill call from a point along the shore above me. 
The paddle was no longer needed, so I pulled out the oars and getting 
them into the locks rowed as rapidly as possible toward Bill. He had 
tracked the buck to the water's edge, and was just saying that we would 
find him mortally wounded along the shore somewhere, when, with a 
great snapping of branches and splashing of water the old fellow sprang 
out of a windfall into the lake and started to swim for a little island near 
by. Bill jumped into the bow, and I pulled the oars with a vengeance, 
but guided by the hoarse breathing of the panting deer as he swam. 



360 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

Rapidly we neared him, and just as Bill called out ' Right oar, quick ! ' 
the boat gave a lurch and I knew that he had the game by the tail. At 
that moment the handles of the oars came against my abdomen with a 
jerk, and pressed so hard that I couldn't catch a breath for the life of 
me. ' Hold on, Bill ! ' I gasped. ' For H-e-a-v-e-n-'s s-a-k-e hold up!' 
The oars kept pressing so hard that I could not get out another word, 
until Bill, roaring with laughter, reached around and threw one of them 
out of the rowlock. In my excitement I had forgotten that Bill was 
not the motive power at the bow, and that the fast swimming buck was 
the cause of bringing into practice a very simple problem in levers. 

" We only had a few yards more to go before shallow water would 
be reached, and picking up the rifle, I intended to stop our locomotive, 
but the boat was unsteady and I fired the bullet somewhere into the 
Androscoggin wilderness. Another bullet went on the same fruitless 
mission, and is going yet for all that I know. We were almost in the 
shallow water, and shutting my teeth together with a firm resolve to 
hold steady, I sent a bullet through the neck of the deer, and with a 
convulsive start he sent flying the spray in every direction, and then 
lay kicking upon the water. 

" Towing the deer to the shore we got him into the boat, and as I 
took the bow again Bill took up the paddle and we started for camp. 

" How fine the old buck looked in the evening: ligrht with his white 
belly up and legs gracefully bent as his head lay between my knees 
and I stroked his smooth ears and opened the closed eyes and patted 
his neck. 

" As we neared the camp the stars were sending silvery gleams over 
the ripples in our wake. A glimpse of the back-log burning low 
showed us where to land, and the smell of the smoke hanging heavily 
over the water was a reminder of the comforts in store. 

" The boat grated on the pebbly bottom, and, jumping out, we 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



361 



rolled out our game and dragged him the short distance to camp. 
Lichen-cov^ered sticks were soon snapping and roaring on the camp- 
fire, and the forest around was all aglow as the sparks arose with the 
smoke and floated oft among the branches of the trees overhead. The 
red embers settled in a ruddy heap ; and the last piece of venison 
from the deer which Bill had killed a few days previously, and half a 
dozen big trout were pulled from the moss by the spring, where we 




IN CAMP ON THK MAC.AI.T.OW'AY. 



had stored them ready for use. As they broiled and browned before 
the birch logs, the juice trickled out and fell sizzling among the coals, 
sending fragrant aromas in every direction. Our birch-bark plates 
were filled as only a niillionnaire could afford to fill them in the city. 
And then, in a condition of supreme contentment. I leaned my back 
against a giant pine, crossed my feet over the buck's glossy flank, and 
lit my pipe. Bill stretched himself out at full length upon the moss 
near by ; and as the blue puffs floated around our heads, we told of 



THROUGH THE WJLDS. 



former exploits with deer and bears until the pipes and the camp-fire 
burned low." 

This ended the conference, and the boys bidding the gentlemen 
" o-Qod-nio-ht," retired to rest. In the morning after breakfast the 
Parson settled the bill, and they went back to their boats. Launching 
them, they put in their things, and started up the river. Between the 
forks and the dam at the outlet, they encountered many obstacles, but 
by hard and steady work they reached the dam about eleven o'clock, 
and after unloading their boats, carried their things around the dam, 
and then tackled the boats. The 
distance being short, four of them 
handled the boat quite easily, and 
at noon they had rowed up the 
outlet, turning to the left, and 
landed near where the carry road 
ended, and here they camped. 
It was a beautiful place, and com- 
manded a fine view the entire dis- 
tance of the lake. They built ' '^^\^<f 
their camp, set up their table and 
bench, had their dinner, and then 

Georee and the Parson went down to the dam fishinor, while Dick 
and Ned with the shot-guns sallied out on the carry road in quest 
of partridges. 

The fishermen took five trout durino- the afternoon, one of which 
weighed three pounds, and was captured by George. He was proud 
of his trophy, this being the largest fish they had taken, and George 
told the Parson they would bake him for breakfast. When they 
reached camp about half-past four they found Dick and Ned had come 
in ahead, nearly empty-handed, having shot only three partridges, and 
Ned declared that they had skirmished lively for those. 




FLINT'S CAMP, SUNDAY POND. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 






" We shall have to make a business of getting a deer after we 
go to the head of the lake." said Ned. " I don't believe we shall 
find many partridges up here, we are so far away from any setdement." 

" You can shoot one whenever you please, my boy," answered 
George with a laugh, " I won't blow on you." 




A PARTY WE SAW ON THE WAV. 

" Now, let's have some supper," cried Dick, " I am getting hungry. 
Shall I build a fire, George ? " 
" Yes, oro ahead." 

" We have reached Parmachenee at last." said the Parson. 
"True as preaching," returned Ned, "and now for some fun." 



364 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



UP THE LAKE. DANFORTH S CAMP. THE HEAD OF THE LAKE. UP 

THE RIVER. LITTLE BOY's FALLS. A PERMANENT CAMP. WOOD 

RAMBLES. RARE FISHING. A MOOSE HUNT. BREAKING CAMP. 

THE START FOR HOME. ALMOST AN ACCIDENT. 




N Wednesday morning while they were eating break- 
fast, they descried two objects on the lake, which upon 
^' a nearer approach they made out to be two canoes. 



each containing a man. Catching sight of the boys' 
camp-fire, the men ran the canoes up on the beach 
near them, stepping on shore very carefully, so as not 
to injure their frail craft. They fell into conversation 
with the boys, and learning from George that the 
water was very low between the outlet and the forks, they concluded 
to sack their canoes across the carry, although it had been their inten- 
tion only to carry around the dam, and then run the river. After 
making up their minds to do the carry, they lost but little time. The 
canoes were taken out, and each of them turned bottom up, and thrown 
on the shoulders of the two men with the same ease that one of the 
boys would have tossed a biscuit into the water, and off they started. 

" Did you notice, George, how those fellows handled their canoes? 
You would not suppose each weighed a hundred pounds or more," and 
Dick looked after them in astonishment. 

"They carry one a little easier than you or I would, Dicky, but I 
wonder why they use the word ' sack' so much in this country. They 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



365 



never lug or carry anything here, it is always ' sack,' or ' sacked,' or 

* sacking.' " 

" Like old Falstaff," put in Ned with a grin, " they are fond of 

* sack.' " 

" I wonder what day of the month it is ? " queried the Parson. 
"The fourteenth," answered George; " and we ought not to stay 
_,- up here more than two 



weeks longer, for it will 
take us a week to get 
home." 

" Suppose we pack up 
then, and be off," sug- 
gested Dick, " it is nine 
/-■-■IL o'clock now." 

"How about that trip 

.1^C5 over to the Little Magal- 

^ loway," said Ned. "We 

^^', ' have not been there yet." 

" Why can't we go to- 

W^ day, and start off up the 

Oi^r lake to-morrow ? " pro- 

'^^■ ^.^^^%J^J^^'(i posed Dick. 

'■ -''h^jj "Nothing to hinder, if 

V vou wish to go," replied 

George. 

"Then let's make the 

trip there to-day," said the Parson. 

"Little Magalloway it is, then," returned George; " but, as we 
shall be gone all day, we must take a luncheon with us." 

In a few moments a pail had been filled with whatever was cooked, 







SACKING CANOES. 



i66 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



and, taking the luncheon and their g"uns, they crossed the carry to 
the landing, then followed the Little Magallovvay up to the Stone Dam. 
They rested here half an hour, then continued up the stream till they 
reached a pool of dead water, and here they disposed of their refresh- 
ments. While enjoying a social chat, Ned proposed they should strike 
through the woods for the lake. They made the attempt, but got 
turned around, and after several hours' hard tramping, came out on 
the carry road, just where it pitches down to the lake. With a cry 
of joy, they recognized the road, and in a few minutes were at camp, 
tired and hungry. 
They all assisted in 
making supper ready 
and retired early. 

The next morn- 
ing George was up at 
six o'clock, and after 
lighting the fire, 
called his friends, 
who were yet asleep, 
but who arose quick- 
ly when they saw he 
had the fire blazing. 

Breakfast was quickly prepared and eaten, baggage and stores packed 
up, and the boats launched. 

" Away we go now ! " cried Dick. 

" All right," returned George, and the two boats were a moment 
later heading up the lake. A little after ten they reached Danforth's 
camp ; and as George wished to add to their stock of supplies, 
they concluded to stay there the rest of the clay and over 
night, and board with Danforth. They were much interested in the 




STONE DAM, LITTLE MAGALLOWAY. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



567 



ber 



camp and what they saw there. The buildings, five or six in number, 
stand on an island at the head of the lake, and contain a dozen 
or more rooms. Mr. Danforth owns a num- 

camps in the vicinity 
uses for shelter when 
nieht, and Georore ob- 
use them, if it came in 
their way to do so. 

The next morning, 
having procured what 
additional stores they 
needed, among which 
was a hind quarter of 
venison, the Parson 
settled the bill, and 
embarking they made 
their way to the inlet, 
and soon lost sight of 
the lake. They reached 
Little Boy's Falls about 
ten o'clock, where the\- 
stopped, deciding to 
Iniild a permanent 
t\-. The\- moved every 
thing on shore, then carried one of the 
boats around the falls, as they could use 
it as far as the b'irst East Branch, some 
times called Otter Creek. Thus, with a 
boat above and below the falls, they could 
cruise either up or down the river. 




THK POOL, LITTLE .^L\GALLO\VAV. 



368 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



George selected a high, dry knoll for their camp, and under his 
instructions they went to work. They set up the poles as they had 
done in building the other camps, put on the front stick, and ran the 
rafters back to the ground. Then he cut half a dozen smaller poles, 
which he ran cross-way of the rafters, making the frame-work more 
secure. 

Then obtaining some cedar splits, he covered the frame with a 
double course, ran 
another pole across "' 

the top to keep 
them in place, and 

rolled a large log \ 

against the bottom, 
holding the splits 
securely at that end . 
On the sides he 
drove down several 
poles perpendicu- 
larly, and cutting 
shorter splits, wat- 
tled them in be- 
tween the poles, 
from the ground to 
the top of the camp, 
thus making both 
ends secure against the weather. By setting every other pole on the 
end a little out of line, the walls were made fast. A few long splits 
were also cut, and one end of each being sharpened, were driven into 
the ground on the front of the camp, only leaving an entrance four 
feet wide. 




PARMACHENEE LAKE, FROM CARRY LANDING. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 369 

A lot of spruce boughs were then cut, and piled on the roof, and 
around the ends, making the little shanty both warm and water-tight. 
A floor was made b)- cutting- fir poles the right length, hewing one 
side flat, and laying the smooth side uppc^rmost. The floor was 
plentifully strewn with fragrant cedar boughs, and two of their 
rubber blankets spread over it. One of the other blankets was 
reserved for a door, which was hung before the entrance in the 
front part of the camp, the other as an additional precaution was 
thrown over their provisions, which they kept in one corner of their 
camp. It took them the rest of the day, with the exception of the 
dinner-hour, in completing their building operations ; but when they 
had finished, George declared himself satisfied, and said they had 
the " boss camp." The only tools used in its construction were 
axes and jack-knives, and the only articles except what nature had 
furnished them on the spot, were a few pieces of stout marline, that 
had been brought around some of their bundles. 

They were all well tired out at night, and after supper, soon 
retired to rest, sleeping heavily until seven o'clock the next morning. 

George was the first to awaken, and lookinof at his watch, was sur- 
prised to find it so late. 

" Come, fellows, wake up." he called, as he turned out and began to 
dress. " It is seven o'clock, and to-day is Friday, and to-morrow is 
Saturday, and the week is all gone and nothing done. For shame, 
sluggards ! " 

" Who are you calling a slug, you old angle-worm," retorted Dick, 
sleepily rubbing his eyes. 

" Come, Ned, where are you ? It's a lovely morning out," stepping 
to the front of the camp, and throwing the bottom of the rubber blanket 
up on the roof, the way they opened the door. '*just look out." 

" Here goes," replied Ned, springing to his feet and giving the Par- 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



371 



son who had not yet stirred, a gentle kick, " Roll out, Fred. All hands 
on deck ! " and Ned bawled loud enough to frighten a moose to death 
if there was one in that locality. 

" Friday, is it," said Dick. " Fish-day with the Catholics. It is 
funny they don't eat meat on Friday. You are going to cook some of 
that venison this morning, aren't you, George ? " 

" Yes, that's all our larder contains in the way of solid food, that I 
can cook quickly. I'll take off a few slices and fry them. Build a fire 
before you wash, will you, Ned, and I'll go and perform my twilight." 




CHASING A CARIBOU. 



" Suppose," proposed George at breakfast, " that we go up to Otter 
Creek to-day. We can go to the mouth of the stream in the boat, and 
then take a ramble in the woods. We can carry a little luncheon with 
us, and plan to get back to camp about four o'clock, and have an 
early supper. What do you say ? " 

All were agreeable ; and after the dishes were washed they launched 
their boat above the falls, and started up the river. They had only 
made about a mile from camp when they saw some distance ahead 
a large animal wade across the river, and disappear in the woods. 



372 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" A deer ! " cried Dick. 

" A moose ! " yelled Ned. 

" Neither," returned George decidedly, " it was a caribou." 

" A caribou ? " cried his three friends in concert. 

" Yes, gentlemen, a caribou. If you had not been so excited you 
would have noticed that it was too small for a moose, and too large for 
a deer. It is claimed by naturalists that it is the same animal as the 
Northern reindeer of Europe. It is very fleet, and it is a ' cold day ' for 
a hound, every time, when he gets on the trail of a caribou. But hurry 
up, and let's find where he landed. Perhaps we can stalk him if he 
does not hear us." 

They soon reached the spot where the animal had left the river, and 
hauling up the boat, divided into two parties, George and the Parson 
going one way, and Ned and Dick in another direction. This gave 
each party one rifle and one shot-gun. 

" Be careful, now, how you shoot, if you see any game," whispered 
George as the boys separated, to Ned, " I don't want you to make a 
tarofet of the Parson and me." 

" Excellent advice. Follow it yourself," retorted Ned, as the two 
parties disappeared from each other's sight. 

They spent two hours in hunting the caribou, but it was emphati- 
cally a " still hunt," so still, that they never saw a thing to waste a 
charge on, and they returned to the river bank within a few moments 
of each other, rather chagrined at their ill-luck. 

" Where's your caribou, Ned ? " laughed George, as the boys 
reached the boat. 

" Our caribou ? " queried Ned. " Well, if you haven't cheek. 
You had better ask yourself the same question." 

"The Parson and I left him for you and Dick," returned their 
leader, as they launched the boat. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



373 



" That's where you made a mistake," put in Dick. "You should 
not have been so generous." 

" Well, better luck next time," said George, as they started up 



river. 



A short time after a flock of black duck went over their heads, but 
too far away for a shot. 




TOO FAR AWAY. 



" This is regular Friday's luck," grumbled Dick, as he eyed the 
birds wistfully. 

" Don't be superstitious, Dick. Some of the most important events 
in the world occurred on Friday," and George laughed at his compan- 
ion's long face. 

It was twelve o'clock when they reached the mouth of the Creek, 
and hauling the boat out, they sat down awhile and ate their lunch. 



374 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



After half an hour's debate as to what should be done next, tliey finally 
divided as they did when they went after the caribou, and two of them 
went into the woods on the north side of the stream, and two on the 
other. 

" Be back here by three o'clock," shouted George to his compan- 
ions, as he and the Parson struck into the forest. 

At the hour appointed for the rendezvous, the parties met at the 
boat, but neither had seen any game. Ned and Dick had "struck 
it rich " on spruce gum, and their jaws were grinding like crushing- 
machines. They each had a pocket full, and offered some to their 
friends. The Parson " took a chaw," but George told them " it was too 
much like work, and didn't pay for the trouble." 

"Did you see any game, George? " inquired Dick, as they rowed 
down river. 

" Not a thing ; but we ran across the tracks of some large animal 
that I think must have been a bear. We followed them a while, but 
the trail did not pan out well, and we left it. We had better try and 
get a mess of trout at the falls for breakfast to-morrow morning, and I 
will roast a piece of that wild meat for supper." 

When they reached camp Dick and the Parson offered to go fishing 
if Ned would help George. He expressed himself as ready to do any- 
thing for the common good, and proved it by at once building the fire, 
while George proceeded with the supper, and Fred and Dick went 
down below the falls to try their luck with the trout. 

" You need not be in a hurry about coming back," remarked 
George, as the fishermen started away ; " with this meat to roast and 
potatoes to boil, I can't have supper before six o'clock. If you leave 
off fishing at six you will be here early enough." 

" Do you want me to wash the potatoes, George ? " asked Ned. 

" Yes, if you please. Take about a dozen fair-sized ones and run 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 375 

down to the river ; get a pail of water after you wash the spuds, and 
put two quarts in that kettle, and a tablespoonful of salt. After you 
get the potatoes on, pick a quart of beans : 1 must put them in soak 
to-niofht." 

" All right," said Ned, w^ho made a good assistant. 

Supper progressed favorably, and when the fishermen appeared a 
few moments after six with a fine string of trout, it was all ready. 

" I was never so hungry in my life," declared Dick, as he passed 
the trout over to Ned to be taken care of, and set his rod away. " Oh, 
crimini ! I wonder how that venison will taste roasted : it smells mighty 
nice. Any water in camp, Ned ? No ? of course not. I shall have to 
wash my hands, any how, before I eat, for they smell fishy," 

" Give us a rest," replied Ned. " Take the pail and get some water. 
The river is right before you." 

The evenings had grown considerably cooler since the storm, and 
after supper the boys built a huge fire and sat around it all the even- 
ing, enjoying its warmth and light. 

"There is one good thing about this country," remarked George, 
as they lay around their camp-fire, " fuel is plenty here and costs 
nothing. What a pity it is that the poor people, who in some of the 
large cities actually freeze for want of fire, could not have some small 
part of the enormous quantities of wood that annually go to waste 
in these forests." 

" That's a fact," replied Ned : " what a blessing it would be to them 
if they could only get it." 

" George, did I ever tell you about a little incident I read of last 
winter, about a bear in a lumber-camp ?" 

" No. What was it, Dick ? " 

" There were a lot of boys visiting a lumber-camp near some town 
in New Hampshire, and a bear suddenly appeared. The boys were 



THROUGH THE WILDS. -77 

frightened and ran, and so did the bear ; and the bear knocked over 
one of the boys, who straddled him without meaning to, and was carried 
half a mile on his back. Mustn't that fellow have looked funny ? " 

" Get out with your nonsense. Do you suppose we swallow such a 
yarn as that ? " 

" I don't care whether you swallow it or not. I read it in the 
Boston Jour7iaiy 

" I wouldn't believe it if you read it in Zions Herald. Let's go to 
bed," and the boys turned in. 

The next morning after breakfast the Parson produced his sketch- 
book, and calling to Dick, said, " I have illustrated your bear story. 
Want to see it ? " 

"Yes," replied Dick, and the boys gathered around the Parson, who 
showed them a clever sketch of a boy on a bear's back, and they had 
a good laugh over it. 

" That fellow on the bear don't look very happy," suggested Ned. 

" No," replied George, laughing, " he looks about as happy as a 
stockholder in the Pacific Bank." 

" What shall we do to-day, George?" queried Dick. 

" Anything you please. But I shall have to stick to camp, if we 
are to have those beans for supper to-night." 

" Then you will need some one to assist you." 

" I ought to have one of you with me. The other two can go out." 

** I will help you." said Ned, and George accepted his services. 

" To-morrow is Sunday," remarked Dick: "we shall not go gun- 
ning or fishing, and you ought to get up a nobby dinner, give us a 
reofular tuck-out in fact." 

"What a little gourmand you are, Dick ; you think a great deal of 
your stomach." 

" Why shouldn't I?" urged Dick stoutly. "If it were not for a 
fellow's stomach, where would a fellow be ? " 



378 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

" Give it up," returned George, laughing. " Let's have a harder 
one," 

" Come on, Dick," said the Parson, " let's be off if we are going. 
Don't stand here and argue all day about eating." 

" Take my compass with you, Dick, it may come handy." And 
George went into the camp and brought it out. " You had better 
get back to dinner ; and Dick, if you can prevail on the Parson 
to go down to where Cleveland's camp used to stand, this afternoon, 
and get a lot of the raspberries we saw growing there, I will promise 
you something for to-morrow that will tickle your palate." 

" All right. I'll go any way. Will you go with me, Fred ?" 

"Yes, I suppose so. And now let us be off;" and the Parson 
seized his gun, and Dick his rifle, and crossing the river in their boat 
below the falls, the boys struck into the woods to the westward. 

" Now," said George as his friends disappeared, " I want to make 
a bean-hole." 

" A bean-hole ? " repeated Ned curiously. 

" Yes. We will have our beans cooked in backwoods style ; " 
and seizing an axe he sharpened a stick at one end, and dug a hole 
in the ground about as large around as a half-bushel, and somewhat 
deeper. When he had finished, he told Ned to cut some wood from 
an old-growth maple that the recent storm had prostrated, and make 
up a rousing fire over the hole. This his assistant did. 

" Keep your fire well supplied with fuel, Ned, and get as large 
a bed of coals as you can." 

" All right ; I will." 

George then took his beans and rinsed them twice thoroughly in 
cold water, turned them into an iron pot (they had no earthern one), 
added a pound of pork, sliced across, half way through, two table- 
spoonfuls of molasses, and a little salt, the pork being well buried 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



379 



in the beans. He procured a tin plate that would fit inside the kettle, 
placed it on the beans, and going down to the river obtained a clean 
flat rock, which he laid on top the plate. The kettle was then set 
aside until the fire should be right. 

" What are you going to get up for dinner, George ?" 

" I guess I'll take the lower part of that leg of venison and make 
a stew. Think you would like it ? " 

" Yes, a stew would be a change from what we have been having." 

" All right, then, here goes." And taking the meat from where 
it was covered up, with the axe he cut off the lower part of the leg, 
and put the rest away. The piece he had selected he gave a good 
washing, then placed in a kettle half full of water, and added ten 
potatoes, which he peeled and sliced, an onion served the same way, 
and a little rice, and then set it over another fire that he had Ned 
build. 

" I have a regular pyramid of coals here," cried Ned after a while. 

George looked at the fire, and said it would do. Then dug out 
about half the coals from the excavation, set the pot of beans in, 
heaped coals all around it, and piled them on top until the pot was 
buried from sight, then covered the top with dirt, exclaiming, "There 
Ned, if those beans don't make your mouth water when they are 
are done, then I am a sinner." 

" You are, any way, old fellow," replied his friend. " But I have 
no doubt your beans will be good. How did you catch on to this 
dodge, though." 

" Lowe gave it to me." 

" What is there to be done now ? " 

" Nothing special. I have got to keep an eye on that stew, and 
I guess we had better cut up a pile of wood. I shall have to make 
some dumplings by and by." 



380 THROUGH THE WILDS. 

The boys worked and talked by spells, and about half- past 
eleven, George took a pint of flour, a heaping teaspoonful of Royal 
Baking Powder, and some water, and mixing it up, made his dump- 
lings, which he dropped in the kettle, adding at the same time a little 
pepper and salt. Then he set the table. In the fifteen minutes the 
dumplings were pronounced done, and the stew was taken off the fire 
just as the boys made their appearance. Ned had made the coffee 
under George's directions, and that was sending forth an appetizing 
smell. 

" 1 smell something good," cried Dick, as he came up to the fire 
sniffing : "is dinner ready ? " 

" All ready," answered George, '* sit down," and the boys needed 
no second invitation. 

" Where have you been ? " inquired Ned. 

" I don't know exactly. Over on the other side of the river, 
rambling about. We ran across two or three small ponds, and saw 
a lot of ducks. I should think there were hundreds of them, but 
we never got a shot at one. We saw any amount of deer-tracks 
and a good many were fresh. This is a good place to hunt deer." 

" Yes," put in Ned, laughing, " you can hunt for them a week, and 
not find one." 

*• But they are around here all the same," asserted the Parson. 

"And so are moose, caribou, bear, fishers, wild-cats, lucivees, and 
I don't know what else, but we don't find any," retorted Ned 
triumphantly. 

" We'll have a moose before we go home, and don't you forget 
it," put in George. " We'll go over to Arnold's Bog next week ; that 
is where Danforth shoots them." 

" And Danforth knows how to hunt them, and we don't ; that's 
the difference between us," observed Ned dryly. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



3^1 









" George, these dumplings are boss," and Dick who was too 
much interested in his dinner, helped himself to the third one. 

" Look out, boys," cried Ned in mock alarm, "while we are talk- 
ing, Dick is eating up all the dinner. He is death on dumplings." 

" Each man for himself, on an occasion like this," mumbled Dick 
with his mouth full. 

" Each man will have to be for himself where you are," remarked 
Fred, " or he will get left on the dinner question." 

" What have you buried under that pile of coals?" queried Dick 
as they rose from the table. 

^.i " Beans," said Georsfe. 

"Are you going to get those 
berries this afternoon ? " 
" Yes, if the Parson will 



o-o with me. What shall we 
>:'- pick them in ? " 

"Take those two lard- 

^- "iSy \y' pails, that Danforth grave us. 

^"'■' '"" ■ '^ They will hold about three 

quarts apiece, and if you fill 

.'DEATH ON DUMPLINGS." ^^^^ y^^.jj j^ ^^jj „ 

" We had better take the guns with us," remarked the Parson ; 
" there are likely to be a few partridges around the camps, and up 
those old logging- roads." 

"Correct, my boy," replied Dick. "Will you lend me your gun, 
Ned ? " 

" Of course, take it." 

" Where are your shells ? " 

" In my knapsack. Help yourself." 

As soon as they were ready, Dick and Fred with the guns and 




38^ 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



pails, embarked in the boat below the falls, and pulled down river. 
They reached the little clearing, and having secured the boat, 
proceeded at once to fill their pails. The berries were beginning to 
get scarce, and this caused them to wander about considerably. They 
had been picking an hour, and were working over toward the woods, 
when they heard a rustling in the bushes near by, and to their 
astonishment beheld a full-grown brownish colored bear, who 
squatting on his haunches, was bending the bushes toward his 



umniiim f fl'iV'*" """""" **'""*"" — 










THE BEAR AND THE BERRIES 



mouth with his fore paws, while with his long tongue he swept the 
berries into his mouth, and devoured them with charming gusto. 

"By Jove! That's a bear!" cried Dick, as he turned toward 
their guns. 

" You're right, it is," yelled the Parson. " You ought to have 
your rifle here now, Dick," 

The bear heard the noise made by the boys, and catching sight 



THROUGH THE WILDS. Z^t^ 

of them just as they picked up their guns, gave a frightened snort 
and fled. The boys gave chase, but the bear could cover two feet 
of ground to their one, and seeing but httle chance to overtake 
him, they both gave him the contents of their guns. They could 
hear the shot rattle among the trees, and judged the bear was 
uninjured. 

" Is it any use to chase him, Fred?" asked Dick, as he extracted 
the empty shells from his gun, and put in loaded ones. 

" No, sir, he's a mile away now, and it's lucky he didn't chase us. 
What could we have done with partridge-shot? I didn't bring any 
buckshot, did you ? " 

" No ; I guess on the whole that you are right. It's lucky we 
didn't get to close quarters with him ; there might have been trouble 
bruin for us." 

" You ought to be fined five dollars for that," laughed the Parson, 
" and now let's finish picking our berries. I have no fear of the bear 
returning." 

After filling their pails, they carried them to the boat, and then 
took a turn for a mile or so up a logging-road, where they were 
lucky enough to flush a covey of partridges, and secured five birds. 
They followed those that flew, for a short time, in the hopes of 
getting more, but the frightened birds kept out of the young sportsmen's 
way, and they were fain to content themselves with what they had 
bagged, and walked back to the boat, and rowed up river. 

They reached camp about half-past five, and found supper about 
ready. 



384 THROUGH THE WILDS. 



CHAPTER XV. 

BAKED BEANS. CAMPFIRE MUSIC. THE GREEN COOK. A COOk's TRICK. 

— Arnold's bog. — a successful moose hunt. — "through the 
i wilds." almost an accident. return to camp. 




^^=^ IVE partridges and six quarts of raspberries," 

'^ "^ said Ned inspecting their plunder. " Pretty good 
for greenies." 

"Who are you calHng a greenie ? " queried 
Dick. " I want you to understand that we shot 
a bear." 

"Hurt him much?" laughed George. 
" I guess not," said the Parson, joining in 
the laugh, and he told about peppering bruin with partridge 
shot. 

"If George and I had been there," remarked Ned with a provok- 
ing smile, " the bear would have been ours." 

" He's yours now, if you want him," chuckled Dick ; " I resign 
my share in him." 

" How about those beans ? " queried the Parson. 
" I guess they are done, and we may as well have supper ; " and 
Ned set the table, while George raked the coals away and uncovered 
his pot of beans. 

The beans were baked to a turn, and sent forth an aroma that 
brought the hungry boys speedily to the table, and they were not 
slow in helping themselves to the steaming viands before them. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



3'^5 



\.S^Y0))J 




Between jokes and laughter, their food was sandwiched in, and after 
supper George invited them all to help him to get up a good pile of 
wood, enough to last over Sunday. 

" You fellows have appetites like Polar bears," remarked George, 
as they sat around the blazing camp-fire in the evening, " and I don't 
intend to cook all day to-morrow for you. We will only have two 
meals Sunday, breakfast say about ten o'clock, and dinner about 

four, and if any of you want anything to 
eat before, between, or after those hours 
you can get it yourselves." 

" A good idea, George," acknowl- 
edged Ned. " We can all stand it but 
Dick, and he can fill up on cold beans." 
" If I can't go without eating as long 
as you can," retorted Dick, " you may 
tie me up in a meal-bag, and pitch me 
into the river. Just make a note of that, will you ? " 

" Saturday night, boys, let's have a good old-fashioned sing," 
and George started off on " Home, Sweet Home," his friends joining 
in. One song followed another, and then they changed off on Moody 
and Sankey hymns, and it was ten o'clock before they knew it ; then 
the social circle was broken up, the fire scattered a little, and they 
retired to rest. 

" Well, we have slept it out this morning," said George, as he 
arose to a sitting posture, and looked at his watch. " half- past eight 
by all that's lovely. Wake, ye sleepers ! " and he gave the boys a 
shake, that opened all their eyes suddenly. 
"What's the row?" inquired Ned, gaping. 

" Only half-past eight, that is all. I should think it was about 
time for us to get up unless we intend to lie all day." 



BAKED beans;" 



386 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" I should say so, too," echoed die Parson, as he started up and 
began dressing. In ten minutes the boys were all dressed ; and 
having completed their toilets at the river, which served them for a 
wash-basin, they were ready, as Ned suggested, to assist the Chef 
in preparing breakfast. 

The Parson started a fire, and Dick offered to make the coffee, 
while Ned went to the river for some water. 

" How do you make coffee, George?" queried Dick. "I'll be 
hanged if I know how," and he stood with 
the coffee-pot in his hands, looking from 
that to George. 

" Set down that coffee-pot the first 
thing." and George stopped a moment 
over the pork he was slicing. " Take one 
of those pint tin basins, get an ^%%, break 
it into the basin, and put the shells in the 
coffee-pot." 

Dick took an ^'g'g, seizing it much as 
he would if he had grasped a hammer to 
strike a nail. The result was that he 
crushed it in his hand, it flying all over 
him, and he threw it away. 

" Let me show you," said George, laugh- 
ing ; and taking an &gg, he gave it a deft rap on the edge of the basin, 
broke it in two, inverted the half shells, drained them, and tossed 
them into the coffee-pot. " Now take a fork, Dick, and beat it." 

Dick grabbed a fork in one hand, and the basin in the other, and at 
his first attack on the glutinous substance sent a lot of the yolk into 
his eye. While he stopped to dig this out, George, with another 
laugh, took the fork and the basin, tipped the latter up a little, and 




THE GREEN COOK. 



THROUGH THE WJLDS. 



387 



with that sHght-of-hand movement that cooks understand so well, soon 
had the ^^^ in a froth. 

" Now, Dick, see if you can finish it," handing him the basin. 
" Put four tablespoonfuls of coffee into your basin, and mix it thor- 
oughly with your ^%^. When you have made a paste of it, scrape it 
into the coffee-pot, rinse out the basin with cold water, and pour that 
in, and then fill the coffee-pot with cold water, up to the bottom of the 
spout, and set it on the fire. It's as easy as falling off a log." 

Dick succeeded in doing this part of 
the business correctly, then George set 
him to watching the pork fry out that he 
had put in the spider. When it was cooked, 
George laid the pork on a plate which 
he put near the fire to keep warm, and 
then filled the spider with potato and fish. 
" That looks like minced fish," remarked 
Dick. 

" Smart boy, " replied George, " that is 
what it is." 

" But how did you make it : you have 
^^ no tray or chopping-knife." 

" Let the fish soak in water all day yes- 
terday until it became soft, then picked it 
to pieces with my fingers. Boiled the potatoes, mashed them, mixed 
the potatoes and fish well together, and here you have it." 

" Well, if that isn't one way of making hashed fish ! What did you 
have for fish, some of that dedicated codfish ? " The boys roared. 
" Desecrated, you mean," said Ned. 

" No, I don't," replied Dick, laughing at his blunder, " I mean desic- 
cated. That's the fellow, George." 




ISKATIXG EGGS. 



388 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



" Yes,- Dick, that was what I used. Desiccated codfish." 

While the fish was browning under Ned's supervision, George made 
some biscuit and put them to bake. Then running a knife under the 
fish in the frying-pan, he pronounced it well browned ; and lifting the 
pan from the fire, he slipped the knife under the fish in all directions, 
until it was entirely loose from the bottom of the spider, 

" Now, boys," he said, " I am going to show you a cook's trick." And 
giving the frying-pan a quick upward flip, he sent the fish flying into 
the air, where it turned over, and as it came down he caught it in the 
frying-pan, the beautifully browned bottom being now on top ; and he 
placed it back on the fire, to brown the other side. 

" That beats Hermann," cried the Parson, his eyes opening like twin 
stars. 

"I'll bet you a dollar you can't do that again, George," remarked 
Ned. 

" I always let well enough alone," replied the Chef with a merry 
twinkle in his eye. " But I would not advise the rest of you to try it, 
because if you do you will be very likely to find your fish in the fire." 
And George turned the biscuit. 

After breakfast the boys wrote letters home, and taking their boat 
below the falls went down to Camp Caribou, and left them with Dan- 
forth, who told George he should have a chance to send mail out the 
next day. Returning to camp they spent the time until dinner in 
reading papers they had procured at Parmachenee. 

For dinner they had a piece of roast moose with mashed potatoes, 
cold biscuit, hot coffee, raspberries sprinkled with sugar, and a- rasp- 
berry-pie George called it, although Ned said it was something like a 
short-cake only better. 

" How did you manufacture this pie, or cake, or whatever you choose 
to call it. I was busy reading, and did not notice what you were up to." 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



0^9 



" I took one can of that condensed milk, and dissolved it with half 
a cup of water. Beat up two eggs, one at a time, threw in a cup 
of sugar, a teaspoonful of Royal Baking Powder, and a piece of butter 
about as large as an ^gg. Beat it all together, put it in one of those 
tin pie-plates and baked it. When it was cold I cut it in two flat-ways, 
piled in raspberries about two inches deep, sprinkled them with sugar, 
laid on the other half of the pastry, and it was ready to sample." 
" And I'll sample it," added Dick, as he proceeded to do so. 
" Is it good, Dick?" asked Ned as he helped himself to a piece. 
" Good ? That's no name for it. Can't you make another one for 
breakfast, George ? I could eat all of this myself." 

" Can't do it, Dick : it is too much 
trouble." 

The evening was spent in sing- 
ing and conversation, and nine o'clock 
found stillness in the camp. 

Monday morning after breakfast 
they took some lunch with them, and 
carrying their guns and fishing-tackle 
paid a visit to Rump Pond. On their way back, they stopped at an- 
other small pond, and went to fishing at its outlet, and soon found 
it was alive with trout. They fished until they were fairly tired of 
the sport, capturing in two hours over three hundred fish. 

" Suppose we leave a few for the next fellow." suggested George 
as he found his companions showed no signs of stopping. " I am going 
home. It will be dark now before we can get there." 

As George started, his friends followed ; and although they lost no 
time on the way it was dark before they reached camp, and they were 
obliged to cook their fish and eat their supper by the light from their 
fire and lantern. 




GREAT ^^rSHING. 



)90 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Tuesday, leaving their fishing-rods at camp, but taking their guns 
and rifles with plenty of ammunition, also all the lunch they could carry, 
for they expected to be away from camp one or two nights, they started 
for Arnold's Bog about ten miles distant. They went in their boat as 
far as the First East Branch, and pulling it out there hid it in the bushes. 
Then taking their guns, axes, and provisions, they struck into the woods, 
following Danforth's trail. A good deal of the way was hilly, and they 




YOUTHFUL HAlilT STRONG IN AGE. 



crossed several large brooks whose names they did not know. They 
arrived at the bog about one o'clock, and took possession of a small 
camp at the lower end that Danforth had built, x^fter dinner they 
procured a supply of firewood, and then took a walk around the pond. 
Moose tracks were plenty, but the animals did not show up. The 
crow's-nest built by Danforth from which to call moose excited their 
curiosity, but as the boys did not know how to imitate a " moose-call" 
it was of no use to them. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 391 

George thought their chances would be best in the night ; and after 
supper they scouted around, and built a fire on the shore some distance 
from their camp, but they saw no moose. And at ten o'clock, cold and 
sleepy, they returned to camp and went to bed. The night passed 
without alarm ; and the next day they tramped about the country for 
many miles, but reached camp at night completely tired out, without 
having seen a single animal larger than a squirrel. 

Wednesday night they retired early, but along in the middle of the 
night were awakened by a series of noises that George declared were 
made by moose. And flushed and excited they dressed, and taking 
their arms and extra ammunition, went silently out in the dark. 

At George's suggestion they kept quiet a few moments until they 
heard the noise again. 

"Whatever it is, it is coming this way," said George. "I will throw 
a few sticks on the fire and liven it up. It is said to attract wild ani- 
mals at times, and we will keep back in the shadow." 

This they did ; and shortly their patience was rewarded, by seeing 
a large moose, shambling slowly along, and stopping occasionally, 
and lifting his head, send forth the queer noises they had heard. 

The moose gradually approached them until he was within about 
one hundred \ards, and Georo^e told Dick to fire when he trave the 
word, and asked Ned and the Parson to reserve their fire. 

"Aim behind his fore shoulder, Dick: now let him have it." 

The two ritles spoke almost as one, and both bullets hit the 
animal, who came down on his knees, but soon rallied and stood upon 
his feet. When the moose fell, all the boys rushed out to him, 
thinking he was dead ; but as he regained his feet, Dick and George 
stopped and put fresh cartridges in their rifles. 

" Give it to him, boys," cried George, as the moose. ha\ing caught 
sight of his enemies, charged upon the group, and Xed and the Parson 
emptied four charges of buck-shot into him from short range. 




SHOOTING A MOOSE. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 393 

This was more than the old fellow could carry. He stopped in 
his onset, gave a muffled bellow, staggered a few times, and went over 
on his side, his legs bending under him. He never kicked again. 

"He is our meat," shouted Ned. "Three cheers," and they 
were given with a will. 

" Now what shall we do with him ? " queried Dick. 

" Leave him where he is till morning." Looking at his watch, " It's 
three o'clock now. I'll risk him till daylight, and we'll have his tongue 
for breakfast. Now let's go back and get what sleep we can." 

This advice was followed ; but they could not sleep very well after 
the excitement of the night, and at six o'clock they were all up. A fire 
was started ; then they went over to the moose, and after two hours 
hard work succeeded in skinning him, and getting his head off, and 
cutting him up. Then they had breakfast. After breakfast they 
packed up a little of the meat, and took the skin, and the head which 
had fine horns, and started over the trail on their way back. 

Their load was heavy, and they stopped frequently to rest. When 
they were within about four miles of their boat they stopped for a 
lunch ; and while they were eating, a party of six came along who 
had left Danforth's in the morning, and who were on their way to the 
bog. They were piloted by John Eastman, their guide, and George 
told him of their good luck, and told him to help himself to the moose- 
meat the boys had left behind at the bog, which John was ver)' wil- 
ling to do. 

After a short conversation, the two parties separated ; and the boys 
after a tiresome march reached their boat, launched it, and went down 
the river to camp, where they found everything secure. They were 
sleepy and hungry, as well as tired, and George cooked a good supper, 
to which they all paid their compliments ; they retired early, their 
bed never having felt better than it did that night. 



^94 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



Friday, after breakfast, they carried the moose head and skin to 
the lower boat, rowed down to Danforth's, and made arrangements 
with him to preserve the head and skin, and send them to Boston as 
soon as he could. George told him they should start for home the 
next Monday, and informed him that Mr, Lowe wished them to leave 
the boats in his charo-e, and Danforth aoreed to take care of them. 
They ate dinner and supper at Camp Caribou, and returned to their 
camp in the evening. 

The whole day Saturday was 
passed in climbing a mountain 
off to the eastward of them, from 
which they obtained a good view 
of the surrounding country, 
tramping through the woods to 
it by compass ; they returned to 
camp about five o'clock weary 
and footsore, and hungry as 
usual. 

Sunday they did not rise very 
early, and George announced two 
meals as the programme for the 
day. Breakfast was served about ten, and dinner at four ; and as it was 
the last day they would spend in their present camp, George made a 
plum-pudding in its honor. All hands assisted in getting dinner ; and 
as Dick was very anxious to help make the pudding, George set him 
to picking and stoning raisins, and buttering crackers, while he attended 
to the rest of it. 

When the pudding was in the baker, Dick told George that he 
knew how to make the pudding now, and much to his friend's 
amusement he tried to tell him how it was done. 




A LUNCH L;V THh RIVKR. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



395 



" I am afraid you will never make much of a cook, Dick, for all 
you love the goodies so well. But I will tell you again how the 
pudding is made, and you can write it down." 

When the pudding was baked they had dinner, and after clearing 
up the dishes, read and sang until they retired for the night. 

Monday morning they were all astir at six o'clock, and after 
breakfast, lugged the upper boat around the falls, loaded them both, 
and rowed down river. They called at Danforth's, and left some 
things they had borrowed from Mr. Lowe, and everything else that 
they could dispense with, for they were going to have a hard tramp 
"Through the Wilds," and told John where he would find the 
boats, and shaking hands with him started off. They pulled to the 

east side of the lake, a short distance 
above the outlet, where they left their 
boats, and entering the woods travelled 
by map and compass, for about five 
hours, when they reached Cupsuptic 
River, coming out at a huge chasm, or 
flume, nearly a mile long, and varying 
A NARROW ESCAPE. jj-, height from five to eighty feet. Here 

they came near meeting with a bad accident. 

They had followed down the bank of the river, from where 
they first reached it, until they could cross the stream without diffi- 
culty, and then leaving their packs on the east bank, proceeded 
to explore the rocky flume, they had so unexpectedly discovered. 
When opposite the deepest part, they found an old pine lying across 
the chasm, that had probably lain there for years. George crossed 
on it all right ; but Dick, who came behind him, slipped, and came 
very near going to the bottom, where it is almost needless to say he 
would have been instantly killed. But the youngster's muscles were 




^96 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



good, and hanging on to the tree, he succeeded in Hfting himself up, 
straddHng it, and getting back on the side from which he had started, 
when he dropped down on the rock weak and faint. 

With unusual care, George recrossed the log, and in a moment 
was beside Dick, where Ned and Fred were already. 

"Are you hurt, my boy?" asked George anxiously, taking one 
of Dick's hands in his. 

" No, but I am awfully frightened. It was seventy-five feet to 
the bottom of that hole if it was an inch," and Dick shuddered. 

"Thank God, you did not go down," 
cried Ned fervently, and the others said 
"Amen ! " 

" It was a narrow squeak," remarked 
Dick faintly. "The log was slippery, and 
I thought one spell I should go sure, but 
I didn't want to die," looking up with a 
queer little smile, " and I dug my nails 
right into the wood. But — I — tell — 
you — George — it — was — a — hard — 
'^'-^ — chance," and he burst out crying. 

This made his friends feel badly, and 
they looked sympathetically from one to 
the other. 

'' It's the reaction," said George. " It's better for him to cr)-. 
His nerves have had a fearful shaking up. I don't believe he can go 
any farther to-day." 

" Yes — I — can," replied Dick through his sobs, "I — shall — 
be — all — right — in — a — few — minutes." 

'' Well, cry away, old fellow, all you wish to, it will do you good ; " 
and George sat beside him, and laid Dick's head on his shoulder as 




A SYMPATHETIC FRIEND. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. ^^gy 

tenderly as a woman could have done, and taking off his hat, stroked 
his hair soothingly. 

In about fifteen minutes Dick ceased crying and stood up on his 
feet. Looking around him, while the color came into his face, he 
said, " I hope you won't think I'm a coward, but I couldn't help 
crying." 

" Of course, you couldn't," remarked Ned, seizing his hand and 
shaking it heartily. "If it had been me, I should have bawled like 
a spanked baby." 

The boys laughed at this sally, and then made their way back to 
where they had left their packs. 

"It is two o'clock," observed George, " and we have eaten no 
dinner. I'll make you a cup of hot coffee, Dick, that will set you on 
your feet again." 

"It will be three o'clock," said Ned, "before we are through 
dinner," and he began starting a fire. " I don't know how the rest 
of you feel, but I am confounded tired. Suppose we camp here to- 
night, and get an early start in the morning." 

This proposition met with favor, and the boys accepted it, and dur- 
ing their talk around the camp fire that evening concluded to go to 
Seven Ponds instead of directly to Kennebago Lake, as they thought 
of doing at first. George said it would only take them a few days 
longer, and he thought they would have no difficulty in going there 
by compass ; and when they turned in that night it was fully decided. 
Before going to sleep, George thanked their heavenly Father for the 
almost miraculous preservation of their young friend's life, and 
solicited the kind continuance of his care. 



398 THROUGH THE WILDS. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THROUGH THE WILDS. TRAVELLING BY COMPASS. SEVEN PONDS. 

HEAD OF KENNEBAGO LAKE. FOOT OF KENNEBAGO LAKE. JOHN's 

POND. DOWN THE KENNEBAGO RIVER. INDIAN ROCK AGAIN. 

DOWN THROUGH THE LAKES. CAMBRIDGE. STAGE-RIDE THROUGH 

GRAFTON NOTCH. MOOSE CAVE. THE JAIL. SCREW AUGER 

FALLS. BETHEL. HOMEWARD BOUND BY RAIL. FAREWELL. 

EVEN o'clock the next morning found them 

on the march, heading north-east. George had 

studied the map attentively before starting, and 

\ had set their distance from the Seven Ponds to 

I be about eight miles, by the course which they 

'^ ^f--^'^ would travel. Allowing for variations from a bee- 

^- ^"^ ^ ^^"^' "^^i^^ ^^^y ^^^^ likely to make, and the 

^^.^ fatigue of travelling through an unbroken wilder- 

-^t__=„_ ^s^ ness, over mountain and valley, through close 

growth and swamps, he calculated that they 

ought to reach the lower pond sometime during that day, and he 

knew if he once struck the Kennebago stream, all he would have to 

do would be to follow it north-west to the pond. 

They travelled slowly, George thinking it best not to get tired out 
too early in the day ; and when they pulled up at noon for dinner, he 
calculated that they had made about five miles. They stopped to 
lunch beside a little mountain brook, whose waters were as clear as 
crystal, and as cold as ice. They spent an hour in resting and 




THROUGH THE WILDS. 



399 



conversing-, and then resumed their march. At three o'clock they 
reached a stream which George declared must be Kennebago. Cross- 
ing it, they found a trail on the east side, and following this up, in 
less than half an hour they came in sight of the lower or L pond. 
They followed the southern shore of this pond to its head, reaching a 
stream that made an outlet to the waters of the other ponds, and 
continuing along the south side of the brook, at six o'clock they 
discovered the outlet of Big Island Pond, having travelled over fifteen 
miles through an almost primeval forest. 

Here they found a camp, of which they took possession and made 
themselves at home. It was too dark to try to do anything that night, 
although there was a young moon ; they made their supper from 
moose-meat and hard-tack, and turned into their blankets at nine 
o'clock, well fagged out after their long day's tramp. 

On going out Wednesday morning, they were surprised to find 
there had been a snow-squall in the night, leaving about an inch of 
snow on the ground, while the trees were covered with the same 
feathery coating, giving them a beautiful appearance. The sun was 
just coming up over the forest, and striking upon the snowflakes on 
the trees, made them sparkle and scintillate like diamonds. 

" This looks winterish," said Ned. "If we are going to have snow 
we had better make tracks for home. If we should get snowed in 
up here we should not get out all winter." 

" I guess it will be safe to risk two or three days," answered 
George, laughing: "winter don't usually begin the latter part of Sep- 
tember, even as far north as this." 

" How beautifully these trees look with the snow on them." re- 
marked the Parson; "while you are getting breakfast I will make a 
sketch, for I suppose it will be all melted by noon." 

" It will if the day is pleasant. Dick, can't you go down to the pond 




THE FOREST TRAIL. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 40 1 

and catch a few trout, while Ned and I cut up a httle wood, and make 
preparations for breakfast?" 

"All right, George. How many do you want?" 

"Anywhere from six to a dozen, according to their size. " 

In half an hour Dick made his appearance with ten trout weighing 
about half a pound each, and they were quickly cooked. After break- 
fast, George proposed that they should try still-hunting for deer. He 
thought the snow would last on the ground until two or three o'clock, 
and that if they could find fresh deer-track they might follow one easily 
in the light snow, and if they had good luck run him down. 

The Parson declined the invitation on the ground that he had not 
finished his sketches, and Dick said he didn't feel equal to much of a 
tramp that day. Ned, however, offered to go with George, if Dick 
would lend his rifle. Dick told him to take it ; and about eight 
o'clock, George and Ned, with a little luncheon, for they did not know 
how long they might be away, started out to try their luck at still- 
hunting. 

" I hope you will get a deer," said Dick as they moved away : " you 
have taken the last of the moose-meat, and Fred and I will have to 
catch trout for our dinner." 

" We shall do our level best." returned George ; " and I wish you 
and the Parson would cut up a good lot of firewood to-day, will you ?" 

"Yes," replied Dick; and the Parson i)romised to make the chips 
fly as soon as he had finished his sketching. 

George and Ned sauntered slowly along the border of the pond, 
examining the shore narrowly for signs of the game they were in quest 
of. 

Two or three times they were fooled by holes made in the snow 
from some of the snow on the trees overhead falling to the ground in 
little patches. The wind came out from the north-west and blew a 



402 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



moderate breeze ; and although the sun was shining brightly, the air 
was crisp and cool, and made their hands and faces tingle. The snow 
on their boots, also, felt uncomforta- y-' 

ble, and they had to stop every little 
while, and stamp their feet vigor- 
ously. Occasionally the wind would 
send a lot of snow whirling down 
on them, and some of it would find 
its way on their necks and down 
their backs, much to their discom-' 
fiture. 

They followed the shore of the 
pond around until they reached the 
stream connecting with the pond 
north of them, and as it was then 
noon, sat down on an old windfall 
to eat their lunch. 

" I don't think there is much fun 
in this, George, do you," and Ned 
brushed the snow off the log where 
he was sitting. 

"It is rather a disagreeable day 
to be out, I acknowledo-e, this confounded snow comine down on one 
so, but we may strike game yet before we get back to camp." 

" The sooner the better, then." 

" How long shall we stay here, George ? " 

" Leave Friday morning, I guess. I thought I should like to take 
to-morrow if the rest of you are willing, and cross the outlet of this 
pond near the camp, and go up and take a look at the others. They 
are not more than a mile and a half or two miles in a straight line from 




LOOKING FOR GAME. 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



403 



\ ! 




where we are camped. And now we are up here we may as well see 

all there is to be seen." 

"I will go with you for one. But suppose we start back now. We 

may pick up our deer on the way home." 

" I hope we shall, Ned. I hate to go back skunked." 
Turning to the east again, they followed the shore of the pond back, 

going over their own tracks 
in returninor. No siorn of 
deer rewarded their efforts ; 
and they were within two 
miles, they judged, of the 
camp when George, looking 
up from the snow, which was 
now nearly melted, for a few 
moments cast his eyes out 
over the pond and saw some- 
thing that brought him to a 
dead halt. It was a deer 
swimming across the pond, 
and making for the shore 
where they stood. — a slight 
cove, that set back from the 
main bod)' of the pond per- 
' - ' haps an eighth of a mile. 

- — ^- — " -^ " Ned, if my eyes were 

A DEER IN SIGHT. 

not dazzled so by the snow 
I should call that a deer heading straight for this spot where we are," 
and George pointed to the object in the water. 

" Where ? Oh. I see. now. By gracious ! it is a deer. Let's draw 
back a litde, and trive him a chance to come on shore ; the wind is in 
our favor anyway, and he won't scent us." 






'vi^rlt^i 












1 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 405 

The boys concealed themselves a short distance from the shore in 
some bushes, and waited fifteen minutes impatiently before the deer 
reached the shore. As he walked out, Georofc nudged Ned and whis- 
pered, " Give it to him, and I'll reserve my fire in case you miss." 

Ned took deliberate aim, the deer being- only about four rods away, 
and pulled trigger. The bullet struck the deer fair in the breast, and 
the buck gave one leap high in the air and came down as dead as 
Julius Caesar. Poor fellow ! His troubles and trials, if he ever had 
any, were ended. 

"That was a good shot, Ned, and you deserve his head; but you 
never can lug it out from here in the world." 

" I suppose not. But I'll have his skin, an)- way. I can carry that 
on my back. \\ ould you carry him to camp whole, or dress him 
here ? " 

" Dress him here, and take the skin, and all the meat we can lug, 
and I'll send Dick and Fred back for the rest. He'll weieh a hundred 
and thirty pounds, and is bulky for us to carry." 

The next day, Thursday, they spent in exploring about the ponds, 
and Friday morning they packed up, and after a hard tramp, during 
which they were twice nearly lost, they reached the head of Kennebago 
Lake, and spent the night at the hotel camp. 

The next morning the Parson w^ent over to a point near and made 
a very pretty sketch of the head of the lake. 

About nine o'clock, having hired a couple of boats and two men 
from the camp, they were rowed down to the foot of the lake ; and as 
the scenery was very fine, the Parson asked the bo)-s to wait while he 
obtained a sketch as a companion to the one he had made at the other 
end of the lake. Accordingly the boats were hauled up on the south 
shore near an old camp, but a short distance from the outlet, and for 
an hour the Parson busied himself with his book and pencil, while his 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 407 

friends talked to the guides. The sketch beino- finished, they em- 
barked again, and the men pulled down the river as far as they could 
go, and the Parson paying them for their services, the boys landed on 
the west side of the river, and followed the path that led to the falls. 
Here the Parson's sketch-book came into requisition again, and after 
doing the falls they continued on down the river. At the outlet of 
John's Pond, they crossed the river, and took a look at the westerly 
end of this sheet of water. But it did not pay them for their trouble ; 
and re-crossing the Kennebago again, they tramped on down the 
right-hand bank, and about one o'clock reached a small log camp, where 
they stopped and took lunch. 

After dinner they continued their way, and reached Indian Rock 
about half-past five, just in time to take passage on the steamer 
Oquossoc, which was about starting for the Upper Dam. They 
reached the Scow Landing in Trout Cove about half-past seven, pass- 
ing a sail-boat that lay at anchor, containing two men, and went up to 
the house, where they obtained some supper, and stopped over night. 
They expected to have to stop there over Sunday ; but about half-past 
nine they heard the whistle of the Welokennebacook, and paying their 
bill, carried their things over to the landing where they found the 
steamer. 

The captain told them they could not get down to Cambridge that 
day, but that they could stop at the Middle Dam or the Arm until 
Monday. 

After conferring among themselves for a few moments they con- 
cluded to visit the Arm, as there was a very pretty, well-kept house 
there ; and the steamer sailing at half-past ten, they reached South Arm 
at twelve, ate dinner, and spent the afternoon in writing letters home. 

Monday morning the)' strolU^d around the house, the Parson making 
several fine sketches in thc^ vicinity, and after dinner embarked on the 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



409 




THE LANDLADY AT SOUTH ARM. 



Steamer for Middle Dam, then rode on the biickboard to Sunday Cove, 

where they found the steamer Parmachenee, and their old friend, 

Captain Farwell, awaiting them. 

A few moments sufficed to 
transfer their luggage from buck- 
board to steamer, and they were 
soon speeding down the lake, 
their tongues flying like mill- 
wheels, as they related their ad- 
ventures to the captain and engi- 
neer. At six o'clock they reached 
Cambridge, and going up to " The 
Lakeside," found their baggage 
all right, and they busied them- 
selves durinof the evenino- in 

packing up, and thereby avoiding having to hurry in the morning. 

Tuesday morning they left 

the hotel in a private team, so 

they could take their own time 

and see all there was to be 

seen. Fred wanted to make 

sketches on the way, but the 

stage could not wait for that 

sort of business. 

They left " The Lakeside " at 

eight o'clock, after bidding good- 

by to their friends, and drove 

slowly away. It was a lovely Oc- 
tober morning, just cool enough 

to be pleasant, and the ride proved to be all that could be desired. 




READY lu .■>! AKl 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



411 



They followed the valley of the Cambrldire and I^)ear Rivers, and 
admired the huge mountains that formed the sides of the notch, paid 
a visit to Moose Cave, the Jail, and Screw Auger Falls (here the 
Parson made a sketch), and reached a wayside hotel about one o'clock, 
where they stopped an hour and a half to dinner. 

In th(^ afternoon they continued their way down the rugged 




LOOKING EAST FROM LAKESIDE HO 1 i 



valley of Rear River to Newry Corner, and then up the picturesque 
and romantic valley of the Androscoggin, one of the most charming 
localities in Maine. Through their entire drive they were never out 
of sight of mountains, peaks of greater or less height surrounding 
them on every hand. I)etween Newry Corner and lunhcl they came 
up with a lady and gentleman who was travelling in a private- carriage: 
the lady was seated by the roadside painting a view, whicli took in a 
lovely bend in the river, with high niountains in the; background. 



412 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



The Parson thought the view very pretty ; and asking the driver 
to wait, he jumped from the carriage, and so to speak, " doubled" on 
the fair artist, for chmbing over the fence into a field on the right- 
hand side of the road, he mounted a large rock, and made the same 
picture the lady was painting, and put her, her attendant, and carriage 




SPECKLED MOUNTAIN, GRAFTON NOTCH, MAINE. 



in the foreground of his own sketch. He was much pleased with 
this effort, and showed it to his friends, who acknowledged it was 
very pretty. 

About six o'clock they reached Bethel Hill, as the principal village 
was called, and were driven to the hotel where they stopped over 
night. They found Bethel a very pretty place, and its hotel a good 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



413 



one. As they had once more reached the pale of civiHzation. after 
being shown to their rooms, they discarded the clothing they had 
been wearing in the woods, and which from constant use was pretty 
well worn out, and put on their home clothes, and they appeared at 
supper looking a little different from what they did when entering 
the hotel. 




SCREW AUGKR FALLS, 



After supper they inquired the way to a barber's, for their hair 
had grown very long in the woods, and needed cutting badly ; and 
after " going through a course of sprouts," as Ned expressed it. at 
the hands of the barber, they came out feeling like new men. While 
having their hair cut, they were much amused by listening to the 
stories of the barber, who was a very loquacious individual. 



414 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



According to his version he had camped all through the wilderness 
about the lakes, and had shot more deer, moose, and caribou than 
one man often sees in a lifetime. 

"What did you think of the barber, George?" asked the Parson, 
as the boys left the shop, still laughing at some of the barber's 
" twisters." 

" I think he would make a capital mate for the pilot of that 
steamer on which we made the trip in Portland harbor." 

" You are just right," put in Ned, 
and all the boys roared as they 
thought of the fog story. 




VIEW ON BEAR RIVER. 



They found letters awaiting them at the hotel, both from their 
friends at home, and from the young ladies whose acquaintance they 
had formed so pleasantly that summer, and were delighted to learn 
that all their relatives and friends were well. 

In the evening they fell into conversation with the landlord, and 
told him of their trip and its adventures. He was surprised that they 
should go into the northern wilderness without a guide, and wondered 



THROUGH THE WILDS. 



415 



that they had not been lost. George told him " it was easy enough 
when a lellow knew how," and that he intended to do it again some time. 

The next morning they took the cars for Portland, and continued 
through to Boston by rail, reaching home as brown as Indians and 
as hearty as woodsmen, after an absence of nearly three months. 

And now, after having taken my readers nearly through the wilder- 
ness of north-western Maine, I close up my desk, throw away my pen 
( which is all worn out), and say "Farewell!" not without a vague 
hope, however, that we may meet again. Till then adieu, and may 
happiness attend you ! 




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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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